Marion County, Oregon
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Marion County is in the heart of the Willamette Valley, centered on the state capital Salem. It consistently ranks as one of Oregon's top agricultural counties by production value.
Marion County may be Oregon's most agriculturally diverse county — nursery and greenhouse operations, berries, hops, wine grapes, hazelnuts, vegetables, grass seed, and livestock all contribute to a farming landscape that produces over $800 million in annual value.
Quick Facts
| Region | Willamette Valley |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Floriculture, Berries, Dairy, Poultry |
| Farms & Ranches | ~2,500 (2022 USDA Census) |
| Agricultural Land | ~280,000 acres |
| Average Farm Size | ~111 acres |
Find 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) under one roof. Most Oregon counties are served by a Service Center that may cover multiple counties.
Find your Service Center:
Search for "Marion County" to find your local NRCS and FSA offices, including address, phone number, and hours.
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. They'll tell you what to bring to the meeting.
Programs for Marion County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Marion County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
The diversity of operations means nearly every EQIP practice category is relevant somewhere in the county. High tunnels for berry and vegetable operations, irrigation efficiency, pollinator habitat, and cover cropping are all common. High land values make FSA loans critical for new farmers.
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
Every county has specific conservation priorities set by the Local Working Group (LWG) — a committee of local ranchers, farmers, NRCS staff, and conservation partners. EQIP applications that address local priorities score higher in the ranking process.
We don't have Marion County's specific LWG priorities yet.
Ask your local NRCS office: "What are the priority resource concerns in Marion County?" This directly affects how your EQIP application is scored. You can also attend the annual LWG meeting — they're open to all producers.
Your Next Steps in Marion 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
This guide is part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by Oregon ranchers. Free for everyone.