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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Conway County
Conway County sits within the Arkansas Valley and Ridges, Eastern Part (MLRA 118A) region. Elevation averages about 682 feet.
Temperatures in Conway County range from a January mean low of 29°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 52.0 inches.
Conway County ran 679 farms, 169,029 acres of farmland, and 25,115 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, hogs, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Arkansas |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Hogs, Soybeans, Corn, Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 34+ 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 Conway County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
201 E Shady Lane, Morrilton, AR 72110
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 Conway County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 25% of farmland in Conway County, about 43,053 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in June. 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 Conway County
Farms in Conway County average 249 acres, and about 16% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 18,382 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Conway County
With cattle and soybeans in the mix in Conway County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Conway County Operations
Based on Conway County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs address diverse agricultural systems from river bottom crops to mountain pastures. Practices support soil health and water quality protection.
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 Faulkner County, Arkansas, Perry County, Arkansas, Pope County, Arkansas, Van Buren County, Arkansas, and Yell County, Arkansas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Conway 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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