Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Salt Lake County
The growing season in Salt Lake County spans roughly 275 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 22.2 inches per year. January lows average around 21°F while July highs reach about 87°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 393 farms in Salt Lake County, operating across 49,566 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 126 acres. Top commodities include cattle, equine, and cut flowers & cut cultivated greens.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northern Utah |
| Top Commodities | Floriculture, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 30+ 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 Salt Lake County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
185 N Main St, Tooele, UT 84074
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 Salt Lake County
The forage year in Salt Lake County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in May (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 38,834 acres of pastureland and 640 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Salt Lake County
About 26% of Salt Lake County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 79% of farms are small and 3% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 126 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Salt Lake County
Given the operation mix in Salt Lake County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage for specialty-crop acres. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Salt Lake County Operations
Based on Salt Lake County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP programs focus on urban agriculture initiatives and small-scale conservation practices in the metropolitan environment. Beginning Farmer programs support new operators establishing specialty crop production and direct-market operations.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
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 Salt Lake County: Davis County, Utah, Morgan County, Utah, Summit County, Utah, Tooele County, Utah, Utah County, Utah, and Wasatch County, Utah. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Salt Lake County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Utah guide: Utah Farm Programs Guide
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