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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Yates County
Yates County is part of the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau and Catskill Mountains land resource region (MLRA 140). The county's mean elevation is about 1,186 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Yates County sees 34.6 in of rain, a 244-day growing season, a 47.5°F mean annual temperature.
Yates County carries 17,407 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 5,549 acres. 838 farms operate in the county, averaging 140 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Finger Lakes |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry, Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Yates County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
270 Lake St, Penn Yan, NY 14527
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
415 W Morris St, Bath, NY 14810
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 Yates County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Yates County greening up around April and peaking in August. The county carries about 5,549 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Yates County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Yates County at an average farm size of 140 acres, 20% small operations, 16% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 521 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Yates County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Yates County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Yates County Operations
Based on Yates County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Soil conservation on steep vineyard slopes and lake water quality protection are major program priorities. Integrated pest management in grape production and cover cropping in vineyards receive significant conservation support.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Yates County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Ontario County, New York, Schuyler County, New York, Seneca County, New York, and Steuben County, New York. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Yates County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the New York guide: New York Farm Programs Guide
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