Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Mobile County
Elevation across Mobile County averages about 186 feet. The county falls within the Gulf Coastal Plain (MLRA 133C) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 64.6 inches per year. January lows average around 40°F while July highs reach about 91°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 657 farms in Mobile County, operating across 108,529 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 165 acres. Top commodities include cattle, cotton, and sod.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Alabama |
| Top Commodities | Floriculture, Cattle & calves, Cotton, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Berries |
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 Mobile County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1070 Schillinger Rd N, Mobile, AL 36608
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 Mobile County
The forage year in Mobile County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in June (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 16,227 acres of pastureland and 7,694 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Mobile County
About 22% of Mobile County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 40% of farms are small and 4% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 165 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Mobile County
Given the operation mix in Mobile 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 Mobile County Operations
Based on Mobile County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Coastal restoration and water quality protection receive CREP funding in sensitive watershed areas. Urban agriculture and specialty crop production utilize EQIP support for high tunnel and irrigation 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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Mobile County: Baldwin County, Alabama, Washington County, Alabama, George County, Mississippi, Greene County, Mississippi, and Jackson County, Mississippi. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Mobile 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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