Latah County, Idaho: USDA programs and conservation funding

989
Farms & Ranches
325K
Acres in Agriculture
329
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$1.8M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Wheat, Grain, Field Crops, Other, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Latah County, Idaho has 989 farms working 324,990 agricultural acres (average 329 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.8 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Wheat, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

← Idaho Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Latah County

Elevation across Latah County averages about 2,914 feet. The county falls within the Northern Rocky Mountains (MLRA 43A) land resource region.

The growing season in Latah County spans roughly 275 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 31.5 inches per year. January lows average around 25°F while July highs reach about 82°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 989 farms in Latah County, operating across 324,990 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 329 acres. Top commodities include wheat and cattle.


Quick Facts

RegionNorthern Idaho Panhandle
Top CommoditiesWheat, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts, Sheep

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 42+ 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 Latah County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

1848 S Mountain View Road, Moscow, ID 83843

(208) 882-4960

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 Latah County Operations

Based on Latah County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Conservation programs heavily emphasize soil erosion control and no-till practices on the county's steep Palouse slopes. CSP provides incentives for diverse crop rotations including pulse crops.

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 Latah County: Benewah County, Idaho, Clearwater County, Idaho, Nez Perce County, Idaho, Shoshone County, Idaho, and Whitman County, Washington. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Latah County

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

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

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingEQIP Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.71
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.82
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Latah 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.