Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Glades County
Glades County sits within the Southern Florida Flatwoods (MLRA 155) region. Elevation averages about 20 feet.
Temperatures in Glades County range from a January mean low of 52°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 51.1 inches.
Glades County ran 296 farms, 376,161 acres of farmland, and 3,535 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: hogs, soybeans, and sheep.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Florida |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Poultry, Hogs, Soybeans, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 36+ 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 Glades County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
450 Us Highway 98 N, Okeechobee, FL 34972
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
24704 Us Highway 27, Moore Haven, FL 33471
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 Glades County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 32% of farmland in Glades County, about 120,287 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June and forage peaks in August. 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 Glades County
Farms in Glades County average 1,271 acres, and about 32% are small operations. Roughly 28% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 67,264 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Glades County
Given the operation mix in Glades County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Glades County Operations
Based on Glades County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water management and Lake Okeechobee watershed protection are critical focuses for the extensive cattle operations. Pasture management and nutrient management practices help balance agricultural productivity with Everglades restoration goals.
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 Charlotte County, Florida, DeSoto County, Florida, Hendry County, Florida, Highlands County, Florida, Lee County, Florida, and Martin County, Florida. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Glades County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Florida guide: Florida Farm Programs Guide
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