Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County is part of the Florida Everglades and Associated Areas land resource region (MLRA 156A). The county's mean elevation is about 8 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Palm Beach County sees 57.2 in of rain, a 75.1°F mean annual temperature.
Palm Beach County carries 14,465 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 17,923 acres. 1,368 farms operate in the county, averaging 337 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Florida |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Floriculture, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves, Honey |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 33+ 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 Palm Beach County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
420 S State Road 7, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33414
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 Palm Beach County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Palm Beach County greening up around July and peaking in September. The county carries about 17,923 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 Palm Beach County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Palm Beach County at an average farm size of 337 acres, 74% small operations, 22% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 329,593 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 Palm Beach County
Given the operation mix in Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach County Operations
Based on Palm Beach County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Everglades restoration programs focus on phosphorus reduction and water management in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Best Management Practices receive cost-share support for nutrient management and water quality protection on organic soils.
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 Palm Beach County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Broward County, Florida, Glades County, Florida, Hendry County, Florida, Martin County, Florida, and Okeechobee County, Florida. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Palm Beach County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Florida guide: Florida Farm Programs Guide
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