Skamania County, Washington: USDA programs and conservation funding

137
Farms & Ranches
6K
Acres in Agriculture
47
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$424K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Cut Christmas Trees, Cut Christmas Trees & Short Term Woody Trees, Sheep
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Skamania County, Washington has 137 farms working 6,416 agricultural acres (average 47 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Cut Christmas Trees. Vegetation typically peaks in Sep, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Skamania County

Skamania County averages 92.6 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 45.8°F.

Skamania County's agricultural base centers on cattle, cut christmas trees, and cut christmas trees & short term woody trees. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 137 farms working 6,416 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 464 head.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthwest Washington
Top CommoditiesFruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Floriculture, Sheep, Hogs

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Skamania County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

120 NE 136th Ave, Suite 205, Vancouver, WA 98684

(360) 768-3045

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.


Programs for Skamania County Operations

Based on Skamania County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Forest management practices focus on sustainable timber harvesting and fire prevention measures. Riparian conservation along Columbia River tributaries supports both agricultural operations and critical salmon habitat.

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 Skamania County

Skamania County shares borders with Hood River County, Oregon, Multnomah County, Oregon, Clark County, Washington, Cowlitz County, Washington, Klickitat County, Washington, and Lewis County, Washington. 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 Skamania County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Washington guide: Washington Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.70
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.87
Peak season (Sep)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Skamania County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.