Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Cobb County
Cobb County is part of the Southern Piedmont land resource region (MLRA 136). The county's mean elevation is about 1,058 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Cobb County sees 52.4 in of rain, a 61.1°F mean annual temperature.
Cobb County carries 39 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 1,277 acres. 92 farms operate in the county, averaging 31 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Metro Atlanta |
| Top Commodities | Horses, Vegetables, Poultry, Honey, Goats, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Cobb County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
678 S Cobb Dr SE Ste 150, Marietta, GA 30060
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1282 Sr 53 Spur SW, Ste 100, Calhoun, GA 30701
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 Cobb County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Cobb County greening up around April and peaking in August. The county carries about 1,277 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 Cobb County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Cobb County at an average farm size of 31 acres, 77% small operations, 15% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 24 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 Cobb County
Given the operation mix in Cobb County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; pollinator habitat plantings for apiaries; 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 Cobb County Operations
Based on Cobb County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs focus on urban agriculture education and supporting community food systems. EQIP assists remaining agricultural operations with stormwater management and soil conservation in this highly developed county.
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 Cobb County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Bartow County, Georgia, Cherokee County, Georgia, Douglas County, Georgia, Fulton County, Georgia, and Paulding County, Georgia. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Cobb 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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