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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Cleburne County
Cleburne County lies in the Boston Mountains (MLRA 117) region. Elevation averages about 972 feet.
Cleburne County averages 52.5 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 59.7°F.
Cleburne County's agricultural base centers on cattle, equine, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 546 farms working 112,299 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 15,741 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Arkansas |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Horses, Vegetables, Goats, Honey |
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 Cleburne County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
110 Tulaka Blvd, Heber Springs, AR 72543
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 Cleburne County
Cleburne County reported 15,741 head of cattle across roughly 37,917 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a May 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 Cleburne County.
Farm Structure in Cleburne County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Cleburne County, roughly 690 acres. Farms average 206 acres, with about 21% classed as small operations. Around 23% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Cleburne County
Cleburne County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, equine, and equine. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Cleburne County Operations
Based on Cleburne County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining water quality in the Little Red River system. Programs support sustainable grazing and small farm development initiatives.
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 Cleburne County
Cleburne County shares borders with Faulkner County, Arkansas, Independence County, Arkansas, Stone County, Arkansas, Van Buren County, Arkansas, and White 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 Cleburne 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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