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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Jefferson County
Jefferson County sits within the Arkansas River Alluvium (MLRA 131B) region. Elevation averages about 210 feet.
Temperatures in Jefferson County range from a January mean low of 33°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 52.4 inches.
Jefferson County ran 375 farms, 296,354 acres of farmland, and 6,106 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, rice, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Arkansas |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Rice, Corn, Cotton, Poultry, Cattle & calves |
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 Jefferson County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
100 E 8th Ave Rm 2603, Pine Bluff, AR 71601
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 Jefferson County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 3% of farmland in Jefferson County, about 8,336 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around March 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 Jefferson County
Farms in Jefferson County average 790 acres, and about 19% are small operations. Roughly 30% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 200,505 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Jefferson County
With corn and soybeans in the mix in Jefferson County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Jefferson County Operations
Based on Jefferson County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Precision agriculture and water conservation technologies receive program support for large-scale operations. Environmental initiatives focus on nutrient management and erosion prevention in intensive cropping systems.
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 Arkansas County, Arkansas, Cleveland County, Arkansas, Grant County, Arkansas, Lincoln County, Arkansas, Lonoke County, Arkansas, and Pulaski County, Arkansas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Jefferson 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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