Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Crook County
Elevation across Crook County averages about 3,854 feet. The county falls within the Central Rocky and Blue Mountain Foothills (MLRA 10) land resource region.
The growing season in Crook County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 14.0 inches per year. January lows average around 23°F while July highs reach about 83°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 609 farms in Crook County, operating across 832,845 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 1,368 acres. Top commodities include cattle, equine, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Oregon |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Horses, Dairy, Bison, Sheep, Wheat |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). LFP-eligible for 20+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Crook County.
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
625 SE Salmon Ave Bldg A, Redmond, OR 97756
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 Crook County
The forage year in Crook County runs from green-up in January to peak growth in February (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 696,328 acres of pastureland and 24,120 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Crook County
About 25% of Crook County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 39% of farms are small and 10% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 1,368 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Crook County
Given the operation mix in Crook County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Crook County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Crook County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Juniper removal is a top EQIP priority, it's one of the most funded practices in central Oregon. Water development, cross-fencing for grazing systems, and rangeland health improvement are also strong candidates.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. It takes 2 minutes and generates a personalized action packet you can print and bring to your USDA office.
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 Crook County: Deschutes County, Oregon, Grant County, Oregon, Harney County, Oregon, Jefferson County, Oregon, and Wheeler County, Oregon. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Crook County
- Run the eligibility screener to see which programs fit your operation: Free Screener
- Find your local USDA Service Center and call to schedule a meeting: Service Center Locator
- Read the full Oregon guide for statewide program details, deadlines, and office contacts: Oregon Farm Programs Guide
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