Macon County, Alabama: USDA programs and conservation funding

322
Farms & Ranches
116K
Acres in Agriculture
360
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$2.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cotton, Grain, Corn, Cattle, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Macon County, Alabama has 322 farms working 115,773 agricultural acres (average 360 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $2.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cotton, Grain, Corn. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Macon County

Macon County sits within the Alabama and Mississippi Blackland Prairie (MLRA 135A) region. Elevation averages about 332 feet.

Temperatures in Macon County range from a January mean low of 35°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 53.1 inches.

Macon County ran 322 farms, 115,773 acres of farmland, and 5,979 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cotton, corn, and cattle.


Quick Facts

RegionEast Central Alabama
Top CommoditiesCotton, Corn, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Soybeans

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 25+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Macon County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

1327 Franklin Road, Tuskegee, AL 36083

(334) 725-8404

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

1001 25th Ave, Phenix City, AL 36869

(334) 298-6925

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.


Programs for Macon County Operations

Based on Macon County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Pasture improvement and livestock facility upgrades receive EQIP priority funding. Beginning farmer programs emphasize support for historically underserved producers and sustainable agriculture practices.

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 Bullock County, Alabama, Elmore County, Alabama, Lee County, Alabama, Montgomery County, Alabama, Russell County, Alabama, and Tallapoosa County, Alabama. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Macon County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Alabama guide: Alabama Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.77
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.86
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Macon County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.