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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Drew County
Drew County sits within the Western Coastal Plain (MLRA 133B) region. Elevation averages about 206 feet.
Temperatures in Drew County range from a January mean low of 34°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 54.9 inches.
Drew County ran 260 farms, 102,338 acres of farmland, and 8,334 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, cotton, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Arkansas |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Soybeans, Cotton, Corn, Rice, Cattle & calves |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). 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 Drew County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
419 W Gaines St, Monticello, AR 71655
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 Drew County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 14% of farmland in Drew County, about 14,639 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 Drew County
Farms in Drew County average 394 acres, and about 20% are small operations. Roughly 15% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 40,567 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Drew County
Given the operation mix in Drew 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 Drew County Operations
Based on Drew County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs integrate forest management with agricultural production and wildlife habitat conservation. Practices support sustainable land use across timber and farming enterprises.
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 Ashley County, Arkansas, Bradley County, Arkansas, Chicot County, Arkansas, Cleveland County, Arkansas, Desha County, Arkansas, and Lincoln County, Arkansas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Drew 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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