Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Jefferson County
Jefferson County sits within the Southern Coastal Plain (MLRA 133A) region. Elevation averages about 162 feet.
Temperatures in Jefferson County range from a January mean low of 41°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 54.9 inches.
Jefferson County ran 597 farms, 189,120 acres of farmland, and 28,448 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans and cotton.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Florida |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Soybeans, Cotton, Berries, Vegetables, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Jefferson County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1244 N Jefferson St, Monticello, FL 32344
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 Jefferson County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 12% of farmland in Jefferson County, about 23,582 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in July. 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 Jefferson County
Farms in Jefferson County average 317 acres, and about 37% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 5,421 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Jefferson County
With soybeans and grain in the mix in Jefferson County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Jefferson County Operations
Based on Jefferson County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize soil erosion control on sloping cropland and forest management for cattle operations. EQIP provides cost-share for cotton producers implementing cover crops and precision agriculture technology.
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 Leon County, Florida, Madison County, Florida, Taylor County, Florida, Wakulla County, Florida, Brooks County, Georgia, and Thomas County, Georgia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Jefferson 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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