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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Park County
Park County sits within the Southern Rocky Mountains (MLRA 48A) region. Elevation averages about 9,209 feet.
Temperatures in Park County range from a January mean low of 8°F to a July mean high near 74°F. Annual precipitation averages 17.6 inches. Expect about 153 frost-free days.
Park County ran 284 farms, 225,695 acres of farmland, and 5,491 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, equine, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Colorado |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Horses, Poultry, Hogs, Floriculture, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). 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 Park County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
5610 Industrial Place, Colorado Spgs, CO 80916
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
248 Dozier Ave, Canon City, CO 81212
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 Park County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 80% of farmland in Park County, about 181,364 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in July. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Park County
Farms in Park County average 795 acres, and about 17% are small operations. Roughly 28% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 7,126 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Park County
With cattle and equine in the mix in Park 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 waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations). 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 Park County Operations
Based on Park County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
High-altitude grazing management focuses on protecting sensitive grasslands and riparian areas in this critical headwaters region. Wildlife habitat programs balance agricultural use with elk and deer habitat needs in this important wintering 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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Chaffee County, Colorado, Clear Creek County, Colorado, Fremont County, Colorado, Jefferson County, Colorado, Lake County, Colorado, and Summit County, Colorado. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Park 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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