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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Izard County
Izard County sits within the Ozark Highland (MLRA 116A) region. Elevation averages about 660 feet.
Temperatures in Izard County range from a January mean low of 27°F to a July mean high near 90°F. Annual precipitation averages 49.6 inches. Expect about 334 frost-free days.
Izard County ran 574 farms, 183,625 acres of farmland, and 17,938 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, goats, and goats.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Arkansas |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Goats, Sheep, Floriculture, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 5+ 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 Izard County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1357 E Main, Melbourne, AR 72556
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
207 Martin St, Mountainview, AR 72560
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 Izard County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 40% of farmland in Izard County, about 74,347 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in July. 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 Izard County
Farms in Izard County average 320 acres, and about 11% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 72 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Izard County
Izard County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, goats, and goats. 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 Izard County Operations
Based on Izard County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Erosion control and pasture management on steep slopes receive conservation priority funding. Programs support development of alternative water sources and rotational grazing systems adapted to mountainous terrain.
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 Baxter County, Arkansas, Fulton County, Arkansas, Independence County, Arkansas, Sharp County, Arkansas, and Stone County, Arkansas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Izard 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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