Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Madison County
Elevation across Madison County averages about 142 feet. The county falls within the Southern Coastal Plain (MLRA 133A) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 53.8 inches per year. January lows average around 41°F while July highs reach about 92°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 645 farms in Madison County, operating across 159,522 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 247 acres. Top commodities include flowering plants, potted, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Florida |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Vegetables, Floriculture, Corn, Berries, Soybeans |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 50+ 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 Madison County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1416 East Us 90, Unit 1, Madison, FL 32340
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 Madison County
The forage year in Madison County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in July (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 36,561 acres of pastureland and 25,516 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Madison County
About 27% of Madison County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 24% of farms are small and 6% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 247 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Madison County
With corn and soybeans in the mix in Madison County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground), and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage (specialty-crop acres). 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 Madison County Operations
Based on Madison County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP funding supports precision agriculture adoption and conservation tillage systems for cotton and peanut producers. Conservation programs emphasize soil erosion control and water quality protection on sloping agricultural land.
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 Madison County: Hamilton County, Florida, Jefferson County, Florida, Lafayette County, Florida, Suwannee County, Florida, Taylor County, Florida, and Brooks County, Georgia. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Madison 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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