Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Utah County
Utah County averages 19.1 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 214 days. Annual mean temperature is 47.2°F.
Utah County's agricultural base centers on milk, cattle, and sod. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 2,322 farms working 296,042 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 263 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Utah |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Floriculture, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses, Corn |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). 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 Utah County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
302 East Lakeview Parkway, Provo, UT 84606
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 Utah County
Utah County reported 263 head of cattle across roughly 176,634 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a May growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Utah County.
Farm Structure in Utah County
Irrigation covers about 23% of farmland in Utah County, roughly 66,928 acres. Farms average 127 acres, with about 73% classed as small operations. Around 20% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Utah County
Utah County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were milk, cattle, and grain. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Utah County Operations
Based on Utah County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP programs support intensive dairy operations with waste management systems and nutrient management planning for environmental protection. Beginning Farmer programs help establish specialty crop and direct-market operations in the urban-agricultural interface.
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
Counties Bordering Utah County
Utah County shares borders with Carbon County, Utah, Duchesne County, Utah, Juab County, Utah, Salt Lake County, Utah, Sanpete County, Utah, and Tooele County, Utah. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Utah 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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