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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Walla Walla County
Temperatures in Walla Walla County range from a January mean low of 29°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 15.0 inches.
Walla Walla County ran 894 farms, 713,416 acres of farmland, and 77 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: wheat, corn, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Washington |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Wheat, Vegetables, Corn, Berries, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 5+ 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 Walla Walla County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
325 North 13th Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362
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 Walla Walla County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 13% of farmland in Walla Walla County, about 94,312 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around March and forage peaks in April. 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 Walla Walla County
Farms in Walla Walla County average 798 acres, and about 36% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 88,624 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Walla Walla County
Walla Walla County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, wheat, 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, 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 Walla Walla County Operations
Based on Walla Walla County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water conservation programs support efficient irrigation systems for high-value crops like wine grapes and onions. Soil health initiatives promote cover cropping and reduced tillage in wheat production systems.
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 Umatilla County, Oregon, Benton County, Washington, Columbia County, Washington, and Franklin County, Washington. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Walla Walla 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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