Marengo County, Alabama: USDA programs and conservation funding

434
Farms & Ranches
198K
Acres in Agriculture
455
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$12.7M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Cotton, Soybeans, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Marengo County, Alabama has 434 farms working 197,555 agricultural acres (average 455 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $12.7 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Cotton. Vegetation typically peaks in Apr, 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 Marengo County

Marengo County is part of the Gulf Coastal Plain land resource region (MLRA 133C). The county's mean elevation is about 189 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Marengo County sees 54.1 in of rain, a 64.8°F mean annual temperature.

Marengo County carries 23,289 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 48,864 acres. 434 farms operate in the county, averaging 455 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionWest Central Alabama
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Cotton, Soybeans, Corn, Vegetables, Wheat

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 32+ 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 Marengo County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

105 E. 5th Ave, Linden, AL 36748

(334) 295-8724

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 Marengo County Operations

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

Precision agriculture and variable-rate technology receive EQIP support for large cotton operations. Cover crop adoption through CSP helps improve soil health and reduce erosion on prairie soils.

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

Nearby Counties

Operators in Marengo County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Choctaw County, Alabama, Clarke County, Alabama, Dallas County, Alabama, Greene County, Alabama, Hale County, Alabama, and Perry County, Alabama. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Marengo 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 GrazingCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.76
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.84
Peak season (Apr)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Marengo 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.