Cleburne County, Arkansas: USDA programs and conservation funding

546
Farms & Ranches
112K
Acres in Agriculture
206
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$11.2M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine, Equine, Goats
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Cleburne County, Arkansas has 546 farms working 112,299 agricultural acres (average 206 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $11.2 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine. Vegetation typically peaks in May, defining the primary growing season.

← Arkansas Farm Programs Guide

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

RegionNorth Central Arkansas
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Horses, Vegetables, Goats, Honey

Current Conditions

Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). LFP-eligible for 17+ 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 Cleburne County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

110 Tulaka Blvd, Heber Springs, AR 72543

(501) 362-2628

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 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

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Arkansas guide: Arkansas Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.64
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.81
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Cleburne 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.