Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Union County
Union County sits within the Blue and Seven Devils Mountains (MLRA 43C) region. Elevation averages about 2,711 feet.
Temperatures in Union County range from a January mean low of 23°F to a July mean high near 79°F. Annual precipitation averages 28.8 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Union County ran 806 farms, 342,913 acres of farmland, and 32,704 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Oregon / Grande Ronde Valley |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Vegetables, Corn, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). 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 Union County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1901 Adams Ave, Suite 6, La Grande, OR 97850
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 Union County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 46% of farmland in Union County, about 156,812 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in June. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Union County
Farms in Union County average 425 acres, and about 42% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 32,848 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Union County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Union County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Union County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Union County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Irrigation efficiency in the valley, rangeland improvement in the foothills, and riparian protection along the Grande Ronde River are key priorities. Prescribed grazing and cross-fencing for rotational systems are common EQIP practices.
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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Baker County, Oregon, Grant County, Oregon, Umatilla County, Oregon, and Wallowa County, Oregon. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Union 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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