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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Yuba County
Yuba County is part of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys land resource region (MLRA 17). The county's mean elevation is about 797 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Yuba County sees 38.2 in of rain, a 61.0°F mean annual temperature.
Yuba County carries 14,789 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 37,867 acres. 760 farms operate in the county, averaging 211 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Valley |
| Top Commodities | Rice, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Honey, Horses |
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 Yuba County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1521 Butte House Rd Ste A, Yuba City, CA 95993
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 Yuba County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Yuba County greening up around January and peaking in March. The county carries about 37,867 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Yuba County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Yuba County at an average farm size of 211 acres, 40% small operations, 24% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 88,802 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Yuba County
With cattle and equine in the mix in Yuba County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and pollinator habitat plantings (apiaries). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Yuba County Operations
Based on Yuba County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Wetland restoration projects integrate flood control with wildlife habitat conservation in former mining areas. Rice field management practices optimize water use efficiency while providing essential habitat for migratory waterfowl.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Yuba County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Butte County, California, Nevada County, California, Placer County, California, Plumas County, California, Sierra County, California, and Sutter County, California. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Yuba 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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