Lane County, Oregon: USDA programs and conservation funding

2,375
Farms & Ranches
180K
Acres in Agriculture
76
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$23.0M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Field Crops, Other, Cattle, Cut Christmas Trees & Short Term Woody Trees, Sheep, Grain
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Lane County, Oregon has 2,375 farms working 180,201 agricultural acres (average 76 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $23.0 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Field Crops, Other, Cattle, Cut Christmas Trees & Short Term Woody Trees. Vegetation typically peaks in May, 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 Lane County

Elevation across Lane County averages about 1,183 feet. The county falls within the Olympic and Cascade Mountains (MLRA 3) land resource region.

Rainfall averages 64.1 inches per year. January lows average around 34°F while July highs reach about 78°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 2,375 farms in Lane County, operating across 180,201 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 76 acres. Top commodities include cattle, cut christmas trees & short term woody trees, and sheep.


Quick Facts

RegionWillamette Valley / Coast Range / Cascades
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Berries, Floriculture, 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 Lane County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

780 Bailey Hill Rd, Eugene, OR 97402

(541) 465-6443

This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices

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 Lane County Operations

Based on the agricultural profile of Lane County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:

Lane County's diversity means a wide range of EQIP practices are relevant, from cross-fencing and water development for livestock to riparian buffers and cover cropping on valley cropland. Beginning farmer advantages are important given the growing number of new, smaller operations.

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 Lane County: Benton County, Oregon, Deschutes County, Oregon, Douglas County, Oregon, Klamath County, Oregon, Lincoln County, Oregon, and Linn County, Oregon. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Lane County

  1. Run the eligibility screener to see which programs fit your operation: Free Screener
  2. Find your local USDA Service Center and call to schedule a meeting: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the full Oregon guide for statewide program details, deadlines, and office contacts: Oregon Farm Programs Guide

Built by ranchers who've been through it. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Water DevelopmentCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.77
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.84
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Lane 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.