Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Grant County
Grant County lies in the Blue and Seven Devils Mountains (MLRA 43C) region. Elevation averages about 3,938 feet.
Grant County averages 20.8 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 214 days. Annual mean temperature is 44.7°F.
Grant County's agricultural base centers on cattle, equine, and goats. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 374 farms working 635,381 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 24,491 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Eastern Oregon / Blue Mountains |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Horses, Goats, Poultry, Sheep, Hogs |
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 Grant County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
721 S Canyon Blvd, John Day, OR 97845
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
530 Highway 20 South, Hines, OR 97738
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 Grant County
Grant County reported 24,491 head of cattle across roughly 464,934 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows March green-up and a November growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Grant County.
Farm Structure in Grant County
Irrigation covers about 6% of farmland in Grant County, roughly 38,853 acres. Farms average 1,699 acres, with about 17% classed as small operations. Around 25% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Grant County
Grant County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, equine, and goats. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Grant County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Grant County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland health, noxious weed management, and juniper encroachment are top resource concerns. Water development for livestock distribution and riparian area protection along the John Day River system are strong EQIP 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
Counties Bordering Grant County
Grant County shares borders with Baker County, Oregon, Crook County, Oregon, Harney County, Oregon, Malheur County, Oregon, Morrow County, Oregon, and Umatilla County, Oregon. 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 Grant 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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