Palm Beach County, Florida: USDA programs and conservation funding

1,368
Farms & Ranches
461K
Acres in Agriculture
337
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$2.7M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Field Crops, Other, Sod, Foliage Plants, Flowering Plants, Potted, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Palm Beach County, Florida has 1,368 farms working 460,575 agricultural acres (average 337 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $2.7 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Field Crops, Other, Sod, Foliage Plants. Vegetation typically peaks in Sep, 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 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

RegionSoutheast Florida
Top CommoditiesVegetables, Floriculture, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves, Honey

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 12+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

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

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 Palm Beach County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

420 S State Road 7, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33414

(561) 792-2727

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 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

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

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

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.48
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.65
Peak season (Sep)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Palm Beach 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.