Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Houston County
Houston County sits within the Southern Coastal Plain (MLRA 133A) region. Elevation averages about 225 feet.
Temperatures in Houston County range from a January mean low of 39°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 55.9 inches.
Houston County ran 616 farms, 187,714 acres of farmland, and 6,501 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cotton, cattle, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Alabama |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cotton, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans |
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 Houston County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1849 Ross Clark Cir, Dothan, AL 36301
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 Houston County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 13% of farmland in Houston County, about 23,607 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June and forage peaks in August. 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 Houston County
Farms in Houston County average 305 acres, and about 21% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 9,530 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Houston County
Houston County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cotton, cattle, 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; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Houston County Operations
Based on Houston County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Precision agriculture adoption receives EQIP support for peanut and cotton operations. Poultry waste management systems help integrate broiler production with crop nutrient needs.
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 Dale County, Alabama, Geneva County, Alabama, Henry County, Alabama, Jackson County, Florida, Early County, Georgia, and Seminole County, Georgia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Houston 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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