Decatur County, Georgia: USDA programs and conservation funding

326
Farms & Ranches
181K
Acres in Agriculture
554
Avg Farm Size (acres)
Top commodities: Cotton, Field Crops, Other, Grain, Corn, Wheat
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Decatur County, Georgia has 326 farms working 180,755 agricultural acres (average 554 acres per farm). Leading commodities by sales: Cotton, Field Crops, Other, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Decatur County

Elevation across Decatur County averages about 115 feet. The county falls within the Southern Coastal Plain (MLRA 133A) land resource region.

Rainfall averages 52.5 inches per year. January lows average around 39°F while July highs reach about 92°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 326 farms in Decatur County, operating across 180,755 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 554 acres. Top commodities include cotton, corn, and wheat.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthwest Georgia
Top CommoditiesVegetables, Cotton, Corn, Poultry, Fruit & tree nuts, Wheat

Current Conditions

Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). LFP-eligible for 29+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Decatur County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

101 Ag Lane, Box A, Bainbridge, GA 39817

(229) 246-5773

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.


Programs for Decatur County Operations

Based on Decatur County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Programs prioritize irrigation water conservation and precision nutrient management for high-intensity crop production. CSP supports comprehensive conservation systems that maintain productivity while protecting the Flint River watershed.

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 Decatur County: Gadsden County, Florida, Baker County, Georgia, Grady County, Georgia, Miller County, Georgia, Mitchell County, Georgia, and Seminole County, Georgia. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Decatur County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Georgia guide: Georgia Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.60
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.69
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Decatur County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.