Lyon County, Nevada: USDA programs and conservation funding

280
Farms & Ranches
187K
Acres in Agriculture
668
Avg Farm Size (acres)
Top commodities: Field Crops, Other, Sod, Sheep, Equine, Honey
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Lyon County, Nevada has 280 farms working 186,995 agricultural acres (average 668 acres per farm). Leading commodities by sales: Field Crops, Other, Sod, Sheep. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, 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 Lyon County

Elevation across Lyon County averages about 4,358 feet. The county falls within the Fallon-Lovelock Area (MLRA 27) land resource region.

The growing season in Lyon County spans roughly 245 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 8.0 inches per year. January lows average around 22°F while July highs reach about 91°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 280 farms in Lyon County, operating across 186,995 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 668 acres. Top commodities include sod, sheep, and equine.


Quick Facts

RegionWestern Nevada
Top CommoditiesSheep, Horses, Honey, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Poultry

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

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 Lyon County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

513 West Bridge Street, Yerington, NV 89447

(775) 463-2265

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 Lyon County Operations

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

Irrigation efficiency programs help farmers maximize water use from the Walker and Carson River systems. Conservation practices protect soil health and water quality while maintaining productive agricultural valleys.

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 Lyon County: Mono County, California, Churchill County, Nevada, Douglas County, Nevada, Mineral County, Nevada, Storey County, Nevada, and Washoe County, Nevada. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Lyon 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 FencingEQIP Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.11
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.46
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Lyon 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.