Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Wasco County
Wasco County sits within the Columbia Plateau (MLRA 8) region. Elevation averages about 1,804 feet.
Temperatures in Wasco County range from a January mean low of 27°F to a July mean high near 83°F. Annual precipitation averages 20.4 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Wasco County ran 458 farms, 978,577 acres of farmland, and 12,144 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: wheat, cattle, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Oregon / Columbia Gorge |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Wheat, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Berries, Horses |
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 Wasco County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
2325 River Rd Ste 3, The Dalles, OR 97058
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 Wasco County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 64% of farmland in Wasco County, about 621,906 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around March and forage peaks in May. 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 Wasco County
Farms in Wasco County average 2,137 acres, and about 21% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 23,082 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Wasco County
With cattle and equine in the mix in Wasco 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 Wasco County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Wasco County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Cherry and orchard operations near The Dalles benefit from irrigation efficiency and pollinator habitat. Dryland wheat operations are CSP candidates. Rangeland improvement and juniper management apply to the cattle operations.
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 Clackamas County, Oregon, Gilliam County, Oregon, Hood River County, Oregon, Jefferson County, Oregon, Marion County, Oregon, and Sherman County, Oregon. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Wasco 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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