Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Gilliam County
Gilliam County sits within the Columbia Plateau (MLRA 8) region. Elevation averages about 1,983 feet.
Temperatures in Gilliam County range from a January mean low of 28°F to a July mean high near 87°F. Annual precipitation averages 11.4 inches. Expect about 303 frost-free days.
Gilliam County ran 155 farms, 590,917 acres of farmland, and 7,201 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Oregon |
| Top Commodities | Wheat |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). 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 Gilliam County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
234 S Main St, Condon, OR 97823
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 Gilliam County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 52% of farmland in Gilliam County, about 310,193 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around March and forage peaks in April. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Gilliam County
Farms in Gilliam County average 3,812 acres, and about 1% are small operations. Roughly 17% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 9,849 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Gilliam County
Given the operation mix in Gilliam County, the practices that most often come up are 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 Gilliam County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Gilliam County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
CSP is well-suited for dryland grain operations already using no-till or conservation tillage. CRP can work for highly erodible land. EQIP soil health practices and windbreak establishment are relevant.
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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Morrow County, Oregon, Sherman County, Oregon, Wasco County, Oregon, Wheeler County, Oregon, and Klickitat County, Washington. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Gilliam 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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