Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Clarke County
Clarke County sits within the Gulf Coastal Plain (MLRA 133C) region. Elevation averages about 309 feet.
Temperatures in Clarke County range from a January mean low of 37°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 58.1 inches.
Clarke County ran 247 farms, 49,651 acres of farmland, and 3,818 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and goats.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Alabama |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Poultry, Fruit & tree nuts, Goats, Hogs |
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 Clarke County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
3100 Highway 43, Jackson, AL 36545
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 Clarke County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 18% of farmland in Clarke County, about 8,816 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in June. 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 Clarke County
Farms in Clarke County average 201 acres, and about 24% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 222 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Clarke County
With cattle and goats in the mix in Clarke County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). 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 Clarke County Operations
Based on Clarke County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Bottomland hardwood restoration and wetland conservation programs protect critical habitat while supporting agriculture. Soil health improvement practices receive cost-share assistance for sustainable crop and livestock 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 Baldwin County, Alabama, Choctaw County, Alabama, Marengo County, Alabama, Monroe County, Alabama, Washington County, Alabama, and Wilcox County, Alabama. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Clarke County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Alabama guide: Alabama Farm Programs Guide
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