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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Clay County
Clay County sits within the Southern Mississippi River Alluvium (MLRA 131A) region. Elevation averages about 287 feet.
Temperatures in Clay County range from a January mean low of 28°F to a July mean high near 90°F. Annual precipitation averages 49.8 inches.
Clay County ran 465 farms, 246,685 acres of farmland, and 5,188 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: rice, soybeans, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Arkansas |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Rice, Soybeans, Corn, Cotton, Cattle & calves |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 35+ 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 Clay County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
168 E Main St, Piggott, AR 72454
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 Clay County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 5% of farmland in Clay County, about 13,033 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May 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 Clay County
Farms in Clay County average 531 acres, and about 14% are small operations. Roughly 18% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 172,169 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Clay County
Given the operation mix in Clay 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 Clay County Operations
Based on Clay County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs protect the unique Crowley's Ridge ecosystem while supporting productive agriculture. Water management practices optimize rice irrigation efficiency.
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 Greene County, Arkansas, Randolph County, Arkansas, Butler County, Missouri, Dunklin County, Missouri, and Ripley County, Missouri. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Clay 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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