Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Hendry County
Hendry County is part of the Southern Florida Flatwoods land resource region (MLRA 155). The county's mean elevation is about 29 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Hendry County sees 52.0 in of rain, a 74.7°F mean annual temperature.
Hendry County carries 1,093 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 192,981 acres. 392 farms operate in the county, averaging 1,497 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Florida |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves, Horses, Floriculture, Honey |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 35+ 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 Hendry County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1085 Pratt Blvd, La Belle, FL 33935
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 Hendry County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Hendry County greening up around July and peaking in August. The county carries about 192,981 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Hendry County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Hendry County at an average farm size of 1,497 acres, 29% small operations, 21% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 222,294 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Hendry County
Given the operation mix in Hendry 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 high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage for specialty-crop acres. 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 Hendry County Operations
Based on Hendry County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water management and Everglades restoration compliance are critical for large-scale agricultural operations in this environmentally sensitive region. Precision agriculture and best management practices help optimize production while meeting strict environmental regulations and water quality standards.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Hendry County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Broward County, Florida, Charlotte County, Florida, Collier County, Florida, Glades County, Florida, Lee County, Florida, and Martin County, Florida. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Hendry 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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