Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Lincoln County
Lincoln County lies in the Northern Pacific Coast Range, Foothills, and Valleys (MLRA 1) region. Elevation averages about 295 feet.
Lincoln County averages 91.0 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 51.6°F.
Lincoln County's agricultural base centers on cattle, equine, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 299 farms working 26,946 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 1,429 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Coast |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Horses, Floriculture, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Lincoln County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1130 SW Forestry Lane, Waldport, OR 97394
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
31978 N Lake Creek Dr, Tangent, OR 97389
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 Lincoln County
Lincoln County reported 1,429 head of cattle across roughly 5,241 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows May green-up and a July 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 Lincoln County.
Farm Structure in Lincoln County
Irrigation covers about 2% of farmland in Lincoln County, roughly 520 acres. Farms average 90 acres, with about 42% classed as small operations. Around 30% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Lincoln County
Lincoln County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, equine, and equine. 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 specialty-crop acres, high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Lincoln County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Lincoln County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Salmon stream restoration through CREP is the biggest opportunity. Small livestock operations can access EQIP for pasture and water improvements. FSA microloans serve the county's small-scale producers.
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 Lincoln County
Lincoln County shares borders with Benton County, Oregon, Lane County, Oregon, Polk County, Oregon, and Tillamook 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 Lincoln 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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