← Colorado Farm Programs Guide
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About La Plata County
La Plata County is part of the Southwestern Plateaus, Mesas, and Foothills land resource region (MLRA 36). The county's mean elevation is about 7,220 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, La Plata County sees 21.6 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 45.3°F mean annual temperature.
La Plata County carries 14,633 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 316,099 acres. 1,131 farms operate in the county, averaging 468 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Colorado |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Floriculture, Horses, Vegetables, Sheep, Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 16+ 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 La Plata County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
31 Suttle St, Durango, CO 81303
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 La Plata County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in La Plata County greening up around May and peaking in August. The county carries about 316,099 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 La Plata County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts La Plata County at an average farm size of 468 acres, 35% small operations, 24% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 64,660 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 La Plata County
La Plata County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, equine, and sheep. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for specialty-crop acres, high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for La Plata County Operations
Based on La Plata County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Riparian conservation programs along the Animas River focus on water quality protection and habitat restoration. Specialty crop and organic farming initiatives support the growing local food movement in the Durango area.
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 La Plata County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Archuleta County, Colorado, Dolores County, Colorado, Hinsdale County, Colorado, Montezuma County, Colorado, San Juan County, Colorado, and San Juan County, New Mexico. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in La Plata County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Colorado guide: Colorado Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.