Little River County, Arkansas: USDA programs and conservation funding

361
Farms & Ranches
174K
Acres in Agriculture
481
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$14.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Little River County, Arkansas has 361 farms working 173,519 agricultural acres (average 481 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $14.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Corn. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, 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 Little River County

Little River County lies in the Cretaceous Western Coastal Plain (MLRA 135B) region. Elevation averages about 335 feet.

Little River County averages 52.5 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 63.3°F.

Little River County's agricultural base centers on cattle, corn, and soybeans. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 361 farms working 173,519 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 27,192 head.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthwest Arkansas
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Horses, Vegetables

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 13+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

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 Little River County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

271 W Main St., Ashdown, AR 71822

(870) 898-3611

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 Little River County Operations

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

Soil conservation practices receive emphasis in rolling terrain to prevent erosion and maintain productivity. Integrated forest and agricultural management programs support diverse income streams for landowners.

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

Counties Bordering Little River County

Little River County shares borders with Hempstead County, Arkansas, Howard County, Arkansas, Miller County, Arkansas, Sevier County, Arkansas, McCurtain County, Oklahoma, and Bowie County, Texas. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Little River 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 FencingCRPCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.74
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.83
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Little River 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.