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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Lincoln County
Elevation across Lincoln County averages about 175 feet. The county falls within the Arkansas River Alluvium (MLRA 131B) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 53.6 inches per year. January lows average around 34°F while July highs reach about 91°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 287 farms in Lincoln County, operating across 212,791 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 741 acres. Top commodities include soybeans, rice, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Arkansas |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Soybeans, Rice, Corn, Cotton, Cattle & calves |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). 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 Lincoln County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
303 North Lincoln Avenue, Star City, AR 71667
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 Lincoln County
The forage year in Lincoln County runs from green-up in June to peak growth in July (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 9,580 acres of pastureland and 2,198 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Lincoln County
About 27% of Lincoln County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 17% of farms are small and 17% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 741 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Lincoln County
With corn and soybeans in the mix in Lincoln 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 Lincoln County Operations
Based on Lincoln County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Precision agriculture technologies receive program support to optimize input use on large-scale operations. Water quality initiatives focus on nutrient management and edge-of-field practices to protect surface water resources.
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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Lincoln County: Arkansas County, Arkansas, Cleveland County, Arkansas, Desha County, Arkansas, Drew County, Arkansas, and Jefferson County, Arkansas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Lincoln 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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