Union County, Arkansas: USDA programs and conservation funding

235
Farms & Ranches
44K
Acres in Agriculture
187
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$2.7M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine, Equine, Hogs
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Union County, Arkansas has 235 farms working 43,998 agricultural acres (average 187 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $2.7 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine. 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 Union County

Union County lies in the Western Coastal Plain (MLRA 133B) region. Elevation averages about 190 feet.

Union County averages 55.1 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 63.7°F.

Union County's agricultural base centers on cattle, equine, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 235 farms working 43,998 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 6,874 head.


Quick Facts

RegionSouth Arkansas
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Horses, Hogs, Fruit & tree nuts

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 14+ 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 Union County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

151 South Adams Avenue, Camden, AR 71701

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 Union County Operations

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

Forest stewardship programs help optimize timber production while maintaining wildlife habitat and water quality. Pasture improvement initiatives support cattle operations on former timberland converted to grazing.

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 Union County

Union County shares borders with Ashley County, Arkansas, Bradley County, Arkansas, Calhoun County, Arkansas, Columbia County, Arkansas, Ouachita County, Arkansas, and Claiborne Parish, Louisiana. 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 Union 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 Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.77
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.85
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Union 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.