Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Blaine County
Elevation across Blaine County averages about 6,650 feet. The county falls within the Snake River Plains (MLRA 11) land resource region.
The growing season in Blaine County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 18.0 inches per year. January lows average around 13°F while July highs reach about 82°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 203 farms in Blaine County, operating across 259,553 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 1,279 acres. Top commodities include cattle, sheep, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Idaho |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Sheep, Floriculture, Horses, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 20+ 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 Blaine County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
125 S Water, Arco, ID 83213
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
310 W Nez Perce Ave, Jerome, ID 83338
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 Blaine County
The forage year in Blaine County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in June (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 185,187 acres of pastureland and 8,735 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Blaine County
About 19% of Blaine County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 34% of farms are small and 21% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 1,279 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Blaine County
Blaine County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, 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 rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Blaine County Operations
Based on Blaine County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP focuses on high-altitude irrigation efficiency improvements and wildlife habitat enhancement on working lands. LFP provides critical support for operations experiencing losses from mountain lions, bears, and wolves in wilderness-adjacent grazing areas.
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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Blaine County: Bingham County, Idaho, Butte County, Idaho, Camas County, Idaho, Cassia County, Idaho, Custer County, Idaho, and Elmore County, Idaho. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Blaine County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Idaho guide: Idaho Farm Programs Guide
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