Douglas County, Nevada: USDA programs and conservation funding

246
Farms & Ranches
121K
Acres in Agriculture
493
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$14.7M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine, Equine, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Douglas County, Nevada has 246 farms working 121,231 agricultural acres (average 493 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $14.7 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine. Vegetation typically peaks in Oct, 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 Douglas County

Douglas County sits within the Carson Basin and Mountains (MLRA 26) region. Elevation averages about 5,971 feet.

Temperatures in Douglas County range from a January mean low of 23°F to a July mean high near 85°F. Annual precipitation averages 15.8 inches. Expect about 245 frost-free days.

Douglas County ran 246 farms, 121,231 acres of farmland, and 4,645 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, equine, and equine.


Quick Facts

RegionWestern Nevada
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Horses, Sheep, Floriculture, Fruit & tree nuts, Honey

Current Conditions

Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.

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 Douglas County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

1702 County Rd, Minden, NV 89423

(775) 782-3661

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

513 West Bridge Street, Yerington, NV 89447

(775) 463-2265

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.


Programs for Douglas County Operations

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

Riparian restoration programs protect Carson River water quality while maintaining agricultural productivity. Conservation practices focus on maintaining the valley's agricultural character amid development pressure.

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

Bordering Counties

If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Alpine County, California, El Dorado County, California, Mono County, California, Placer County, California, Lyon County, Nevada, and Carson City, Nevada. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Douglas County

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

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

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.25
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.31
Peak season (Oct)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Douglas 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.