Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Umatilla County
Umatilla County is part of the Blue and Seven Devils Mountains land resource region (MLRA 43C). The county's mean elevation is about 1,472 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Umatilla County sees 20.7 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 49.1°F mean annual temperature.
Umatilla County carries 65,169 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 522,272 acres. 1,616 farms operate in the county, averaging 923 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Oregon / Columbia Basin |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Wheat, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Corn, Honey |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 17+ 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 Umatilla County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1 SW Nye Avenue, Suite 100, Pendleton, OR 97801
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 Umatilla County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Umatilla County greening up around March and peaking in May. The county carries about 522,272 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Umatilla County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Umatilla County at an average farm size of 923 acres, 42% small operations, 25% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 132,558 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Umatilla County
Umatilla County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, wheat, and cattle. 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 Umatilla County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Umatilla County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Like Morrow County, two different worlds, irrigated operations need water efficiency and soil health practices, while dryland grain benefits from conservation tillage and CRP. Cattle operations in the Blue Mountain foothills access rangeland improvement and water development.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Umatilla County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Grant County, Oregon, Morrow County, Oregon, Union County, Oregon, Wallowa County, Oregon, Benton County, Washington, and Columbia County, Washington. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Umatilla 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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