Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Summit County
Temperatures in Summit County range from a January mean low of 12°F to a July mean high near 75°F. Annual precipitation averages 26.0 inches. Expect about 184 frost-free days.
Summit County ran 760 farms, 398,230 acres of farmland, and 7,904 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, sheep, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northern Utah |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Sheep, Horses, Hogs, Vegetables, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 52+ 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 Summit County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
30 Main St, Coalville, UT 84017
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 Summit County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 82% of farmland in Summit County, about 328,365 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June and forage peaks in July. 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 Summit County
Farms in Summit County average 524 acres, and about 46% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 25,602 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Summit County
With cattle and sheep in the mix in Summit 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 Summit County Operations
Based on Summit County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP programs support high-elevation grazing management and riparian protection in mountain valley environments. Conservation practices emphasize wildlife habitat enhancement and watershed protection in coordination with recreational land uses.
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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Daggett County, Utah, Duchesne County, Utah, Morgan County, Utah, Rich County, Utah, Salt Lake County, Utah, and Wasatch County, Utah. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Summit 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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