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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Yolo County
Elevation across Yolo County averages about 130 feet. The county falls within the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys (MLRA 17) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 21.3 inches per year. January lows average around 39°F while July highs reach about 95°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 795 farms in Yolo County, operating across 478,555 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 602 acres. Top commodities include cattle, rice, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Valley |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves, Rice, Wheat, Corn |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Yolo County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
810 Vaca Valley Parkway, Vacaville, CA 95688
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
221 W Court St Ste 3b, Woodland, CA 95695
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.
Forage and Grazing in Yolo County
The forage year in Yolo County runs from green-up in February to peak growth in March (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 164,896 acres of pastureland and 616 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Yolo County
About 22% of Yolo County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 35% of farms are small and 12% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 602 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Yolo County
Given the operation mix in Yolo County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Yolo County Operations
Based on Yolo County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water quality protection programs focus on nutrient management in processing crop rotations and tailwater management systems. Habitat conservation efforts create wildlife corridors along creek systems while maintaining agricultural productivity.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.
How to find your county's priorities:
- Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
- Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
- Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Yolo County: Colusa County, California, Lake County, California, Napa County, California, Sacramento County, California, Solano County, California, and Sutter County, California. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Yolo County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the California guide: California Farm Programs Guide
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