Adams County, Colorado: USDA programs and conservation funding

877
Farms & Ranches
638K
Acres in Agriculture
728
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$7.5M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Wheat, Corn, Cattle, Grain
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Adams County, Colorado has 877 farms working 638,190 agricultural acres (average 728 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $7.5 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Wheat, Corn. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Adams County

Adams County is part of the Central High Plains, Southern Part land resource region (MLRA 67B). The county's mean elevation is about 5,182 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Adams County sees 15.6 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 50.0°F mean annual temperature.

Adams County carries 433 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). 877 farms operate in the county, averaging 728 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionFront Range
Top CommoditiesWheat, Corn, Cattle & calves, Floriculture, Horses, Vegetables

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 10+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Adams County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

57 W Bromley Ln, Brighton, CO 80601

(303) 659-0525

This county also has 3 additional NRCS offices. 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.


Programs for Adams County Operations

Based on Adams County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Conservation programs emphasize water quality protection along the South Platte River corridor. Urban interface management and soil health practices are priorities for maintaining agriculture near metropolitan areas.

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 Adams County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Arapahoe County, Colorado, Broomfield County, Colorado, Denver County, Colorado, Jefferson County, Colorado, Morgan County, Colorado, and Washington County, Colorado. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Adams County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Colorado guide: Colorado Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingEQIP Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.22
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.40
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Adams County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.