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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Stone County
Stone County sits within the Boston Mountains (MLRA 117) region. Elevation averages about 708 feet.
Temperatures in Stone County range from a January mean low of 28°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 51.1 inches. Expect about 334 frost-free days.
Stone County ran 446 farms, 142,096 acres of farmland, and 13,532 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, equine, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Arkansas |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Horses, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). 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 Stone County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
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 Stone County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 32% of farmland in Stone County, about 45,991 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in May. 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 Stone County
Farms in Stone County average 319 acres, and about 10% are small operations. Roughly 29% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 433 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Stone County
With cattle and sheep in the mix in Stone County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). 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 Stone County Operations
Based on Stone County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize pasture management and erosion control on steep Ozark slopes. Water development projects help provide reliable livestock water sources in the rocky, well-drained 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, Cleburne County, Arkansas, Independence County, Arkansas, Izard County, Arkansas, Searcy County, Arkansas, and Van Buren County, Arkansas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Stone 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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