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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Skagit County
Temperatures in Skagit County range from a January mean low of 30°F to a July mean high near 71°F. Annual precipitation averages 80.0 inches.
Skagit County ran 882 farms, 99,718 acres of farmland, and 10,986 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, flower seeds, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest Washington |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Dairy, Floriculture, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Cattle & calves |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Skagit County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
2005 E College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
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 Skagit County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 9% of farmland in Skagit County, about 8,534 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around February and forage peaks in August. 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 Skagit County
Farms in Skagit County average 113 acres, and about 54% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 24,906 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Skagit County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Skagit County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Skagit County Operations
Based on Skagit County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water management and soil conservation are priorities for intensive seed and bulb production systems. Salmon habitat restoration in the Skagit River system requires coordination between agricultural operations and environmental protection.
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 Chelan County, Washington, Island County, Washington, Okanogan County, Washington, San Juan County, Washington, Snohomish County, Washington, and Whatcom County, Washington. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Skagit County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Washington guide: Washington Farm Programs Guide
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