Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Morrow County
Morrow County lies in the Columbia Plateau (MLRA 8) region. Elevation averages about 2,017 feet.
Morrow County averages 14.0 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 303 days. Annual mean temperature is 50.1°F.
Morrow County's agricultural base centers on cattle, corn, and wheat. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 341 farms working 1,052,805 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 90,126 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Oregon / Columbia Basin |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Corn, Wheat, Fruit & tree nuts, Barley |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). 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 Morrow County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
430 West Linden Way, Heppner, OR 97835
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 Morrow County
Morrow County reported 90,126 head of cattle across roughly 504,567 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows November green-up and a April 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 Morrow County.
Farm Structure in Morrow County
Irrigation covers about 11% of farmland in Morrow County, roughly 115,072 acres. Farms average 3,087 acres, with about 20% classed as small operations. Around 31% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Morrow County
Morrow County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and corn. 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 Morrow County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Morrow County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Two distinct agricultural zones need different programs. Irrigated operations near Boardman benefit from water conservation and soil health practices. Dryland wheat operations in the south are CSP and CRP candidates for erosion control and conservation tillage.
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 Morrow County
Morrow County shares borders with Gilliam County, Oregon, Grant County, Oregon, Umatilla County, Oregon, Wheeler County, Oregon, Benton County, Washington, and Klickitat County, Washington. 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 Morrow 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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