Mora County, New Mexico: USDA programs and conservation funding

501
Farms & Ranches
685K
Acres in Agriculture
1,366
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$7.0M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine, Equine, Bulbs & Corms & Rhizomes & Tubers
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Mora County, New Mexico has 501 farms working 684,546 agricultural acres (average 1,366 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $7.0 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine. Vegetation typically peaks in Sep, 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 Mora County

Mora County lies in the High Plateaus of the Southwestern Great Plains (MLRA 70A) region. Elevation averages about 7,729 feet.

Mora County averages 18.7 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 214 days. Annual mean temperature is 48.5°F.

Mora County's agricultural base centers on cattle, equine, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 501 farms working 684,546 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 13,631 head.


Quick Facts

RegionNorthern New Mexico
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses, Vegetables, Goats, Sheep

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).

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 Mora County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

523 State Highway 518, Mora, NM 87732

(575) 779-6497

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

1927 A 7th St, Las Vegas, NM 87701

(505) 425-3594

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 Mora County Operations

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

High-altitude farming assistance addresses short growing seasons and cold climate challenges in mountain agriculture. Traditional farming system preservation programs support acequia maintenance and heritage seed conservation.

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

Counties Bordering Mora County

Mora County shares borders with Colfax County, New Mexico, Harding County, New Mexico, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, San Miguel County, New Mexico, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, and Taos County, New Mexico. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Mora County

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

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

Vegetation Baseline

0.45
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.59
Peak season (Sep)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Mora 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.