Franklin County, Arkansas: USDA programs and conservation funding

682
Farms & Ranches
182K
Acres in Agriculture
267
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$33.9M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Grain, Wheat, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Franklin County, Arkansas has 682 farms working 182,421 agricultural acres (average 267 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $33.9 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, 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 Franklin County

Franklin County sits within the Arkansas Valley and Ridges, Eastern Part (MLRA 118A) region. Elevation averages about 680 feet.

Temperatures in Franklin County range from a January mean low of 29°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 52.6 inches.

Franklin County ran 682 farms, 182,421 acres of farmland, and 32,919 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and equine.


Quick Facts

RegionNorthwest Arkansas
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Wheat, Horses, Goats

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).

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 Franklin County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

2720 W Commercial St, Ozark, AR 72949

(479) 667-8600

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 Franklin County Operations

Based on Franklin County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Conservation programs address both bottomland crop production and mountain slope grazing management. Practices emphasize erosion control and riparian protection along the Arkansas River.

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 Crawford County, Arkansas, Johnson County, Arkansas, Logan County, Arkansas, Madison County, Arkansas, and Sebastian County, Arkansas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Franklin 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 FencingCRPEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.61
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.77
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Franklin 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.