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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Yakima County
Yakima County averages 26.4 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 46.8°F.
Yakima County's agricultural base centers on milk, cattle, and corn. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 2,523 farms working 1,792,824 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 236,681 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Washington |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Dairy, Cattle & calves, Corn, Wheat, Berries |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Yakima County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1606 Perry St, Yakima, WA 98902
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Yakima County
Yakima County reported 236,681 head of cattle across roughly 1,415,692 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows February green-up and a April 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 Yakima County.
Farm Structure in Yakima County
Irrigation covers about 14% of farmland in Yakima County, roughly 253,035 acres. Farms average 711 acres, with about 57% classed as small operations. Around 26% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Yakima County
Given the operation mix in Yakima County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Yakima County Operations
Based on Yakima County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water conservation and irrigation efficiency programs support intensive fruit and specialty crop production systems. Integrated pest management and pollinator habitat initiatives address concerns in high-density orchard and hop production areas.
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 Yakima County
Yakima County shares borders with Benton County, Washington, Grant County, Washington, King County, Washington, Kittitas 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 Yakima 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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