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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About El Paso County
El Paso County is part of the Southern Rocky Mountain Foothills land resource region (MLRA 49). The county's mean elevation is about 6,396 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, El Paso County sees 16.3 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 48.3°F mean annual temperature.
El Paso County carries 16,369 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 441,796 acres. 1,207 farms operate in the county, averaging 407 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Front Range |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Horses, Poultry, Vegetables, Hogs, Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 12+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 El Paso County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
5610 Industrial Place, Colorado Spgs, CO 80916
This county also has 2 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.
Forage and Grazing in El Paso County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in El Paso County greening up around May and peaking in August. The county carries about 441,796 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 El Paso County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts El Paso County at an average farm size of 407 acres, 31% small operations, 23% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 4,537 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 El Paso County
Given the operation mix in El Paso 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 high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage for specialty-crop acres. 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 El Paso County Operations
Based on El Paso County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Urban interface management and plains conservation are dual priorities given the county's diverse geography. Programs support both intensive urban-edge agriculture and extensive dryland farming operations on the eastern plains.
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 El Paso County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Crowley County, Colorado, Douglas County, Colorado, Elbert County, Colorado, Fremont County, Colorado, Lincoln County, Colorado, and Pueblo County, Colorado. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in El Paso County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Colorado guide: Colorado Farm Programs Guide
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