Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Barrow County
Barrow County sits within the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) region. Elevation averages about 987 feet.
Temperatures in Barrow County range from a January mean low of 33°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 52.3 inches.
Barrow County ran 256 farms, 21,238 acres of farmland, and 1,592 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, equine, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Georgia |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Horses, Floriculture, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Barrow County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
111 E Spring St, Monroe, GA 30655
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1291 Greensboro Hwy, Watkinsville, GA 30677
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Barrow County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 44% of farmland in Barrow County, about 9,390 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April 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 Barrow County
Farms in Barrow County average 83 acres, and about 45% are small operations. Roughly 34% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 22 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Barrow County
Given the operation mix in Barrow 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 brush management for rangeland. 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 Barrow County Operations
Based on Barrow County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Environmental programs focus on nutrient management around poultry operations and protection of Lake Lanier watershed. Technical assistance supports diversification into agritourism and direct-to-consumer marketing for proximity to Atlanta metro.
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 Clarke County, Georgia, Gwinnett County, Georgia, Hall County, Georgia, Jackson County, Georgia, Oconee County, Georgia, and Walton County, Georgia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Barrow County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Georgia guide: Georgia Farm Programs Guide
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