Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Cleburne County
Cleburne County sits within the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) region. Elevation averages about 947 feet.
Temperatures in Cleburne County range from a January mean low of 32°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 55.5 inches.
Cleburne County ran 268 farms, 46,919 acres of farmland, and 5,222 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, flowering plants, potted, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Alabama |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Corn, Fruit & tree nuts, Hogs |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Cleburne County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1413 Hillyer Robinson Industrial Pkwy, Anniston, AL 36207
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 Cleburne County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 40% of farmland in Cleburne County, about 18,989 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in May. 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 Cleburne County
Farms in Cleburne County average 175 acres, and about 23% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 343 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Cleburne County
Given the operation mix in Cleburne County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage for specialty-crop acres. 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 Cleburne County Operations
Based on Cleburne County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
High elevation agriculture programs address unique challenges of mountain farming including erosion control and water access. Alternative livestock watering systems and rotational grazing practices receive priority cost-share assistance.
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 Calhoun County, Alabama, Cherokee County, Alabama, Clay County, Alabama, Randolph County, Alabama, Talladega County, Alabama, and Carroll County, Georgia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Cleburne 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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