Calhoun County, Florida: USDA programs and conservation funding

198
Farms & Ranches
120K
Acres in Agriculture
604
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$579K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Field Crops, Other, Cotton, Foliage Plants, Cattle, Grain
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Calhoun County, Florida has 198 farms working 119,587 agricultural acres (average 604 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Field Crops, Other, Cotton, Foliage Plants. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Calhoun County

Elevation across Calhoun County averages about 92 feet. The county falls within the Gulf Coastal Plain (MLRA 133C) land resource region.

Rainfall averages 57.0 inches per year. January lows average around 40°F while July highs reach about 92°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 198 farms in Calhoun County, operating across 119,587 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 604 acres. Top commodities include cotton, foliage plants, and cattle.


Quick Facts

RegionNorthwest Florida Panhandle
Top CommoditiesCotton, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Corn, Honey, Vegetables

Current Conditions

Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). LFP-eligible for 26+ 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 Calhoun County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

17413 NW Leonard St, Blountstown, FL 32424

(850) 674-8388

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 Calhoun County Operations

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

River bottom soil conservation and flood management are important given the proximity to the Apalachicola River system. Integrated crop-livestock systems receive support for rotational grazing and cover crop adoption.

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 Calhoun County: Bay County, Florida, Gadsden County, Florida, Gulf County, Florida, Jackson County, Florida, and Liberty County, Florida. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Calhoun County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Florida guide: Florida Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.63
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.71
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Calhoun 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.