You're using exact match:
rLst = (from c in context.lnd_prgm.Where(x => x.agency_name == searchField) orderby c.prgm_id select c).ToList();
But, if i understand you well, you want to get agencies with similar names (usage of SQL
Like "%whatever%"
operator):
rLst = (from c in context.lnd_prgm.Where(x => x.agency_name.Contains(searchField)) orderby c.prgm_id select c).ToList();
For further details, please see:
Enumerable.Contains Method (System.Linq) | Microsoft Docs[
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