Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Maui County
Elevation across Maui County averages about 2,763 feet. The county falls within the Very Stony Land and Rock Land (MLRA 166) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 54.2 inches per year. January lows average around 61°F while July highs reach about 80°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 1,405 farms in Maui County, operating across 258,218 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 184 acres. Top commodities include cut flowers & cut cultivated greens, flowering plants, potted, and hogs.
Quick Facts
| Region | Valley Isle |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Flowers & foliage, Tropical fruits, Coffee |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Maui County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
77 Hookele Street, 2nd Floor, Kahului, HI 96732
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. 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 Maui County
The forage year in Maui County runs from green-up in February to peak growth in August (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 162,128 acres of pastureland and 10,721 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Maui County
About 33% of Maui County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 85% of farms are small and 3% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 184 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Maui County
Given the operation mix in Maui County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations; 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 Maui County Operations
Based on Maui County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs assist with transitioning former plantation lands to diversified agriculture and support water conservation practices in the semi-arid leeward areas. Emphasis on supporting small farmers and maintaining agricultural viability as development pressure increases throughout the county.
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
Your Next Steps in Maui County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Hawaii guide: Hawaii Farm Programs Guide
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