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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Arkansas County
Arkansas County lies in the Southern Mississippi River Terraces (MLRA 131D) region. Elevation averages about 192 feet.
Arkansas County averages 50.6 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 62.8°F.
Arkansas County's agricultural base centers on soybeans, rice, and corn. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 421 farms working 407,865 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 349 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Arkansas Delta |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Rice, Corn, Wheat, Cattle & calves, Honey |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 33+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Arkansas County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1015 W 2nd St, De Witt, AR 72042
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 Arkansas County
Arkansas County reported 349 head of cattle across roughly 3,211 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows June green-up and a July growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Arkansas County.
Farm Structure in Arkansas County
Irrigation covers about 73% of farmland in Arkansas County, roughly 296,369 acres. Farms average 969 acres, with about 10% classed as small operations. Around 18% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Arkansas County
Given the operation mix in Arkansas County, the practices that most often come up are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. 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 Arkansas County Operations
Based on Arkansas County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs focus on water management for rice irrigation and wetland habitat creation. Soil health initiatives promote cover crops in rice-soybean rotations.
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
Counties Bordering Arkansas County
Arkansas County shares borders with Desha County, Arkansas, Jefferson County, Arkansas, Lincoln County, Arkansas, Lonoke County, Arkansas, Monroe County, Arkansas, and Phillips County, Arkansas. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Arkansas County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Arkansas guide: Arkansas Farm Programs Guide
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