Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Polk County
Elevation across Polk County averages about 1,003 feet. The county falls within the Willamette and Puget Sound Valleys (MLRA 2) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 67.3 inches per year. January lows average around 35°F while July highs reach about 80°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 1,158 farms in Polk County, operating across 154,851 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 134 acres. Top commodities include cut christmas trees, cut christmas trees & short term woody trees, and milk.
Quick Facts
| Region | Willamette Valley |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Dairy, Berries, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Wheat |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 5+ 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 Polk County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
580 Main St Ste D, Dallas, OR 97338
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
650 Hawthorne Ave SE Ste 130, Salem, OR 97301
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 Polk County
The forage year in Polk County runs from green-up in May to peak growth in September (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 9,066 acres of pastureland and 12,317 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Polk County
About 24% of Polk County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 52% of farms are small and 4% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 134 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Polk County
Polk County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cut christmas trees, cut christmas trees & short term woody trees, and milk. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage, and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Polk County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Polk County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Cover cropping in vineyards and hop yards, pollinator habitat, and soil health practices are strong EQIP and CSP candidates. Livestock operations in the foothills benefit from fencing and water development funding.
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 Polk County: Benton County, Oregon, Lincoln County, Oregon, Linn County, Oregon, Marion County, Oregon, Tillamook County, Oregon, and Yamhill County, Oregon. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Polk 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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