Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Harris County
Harris County sits within the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) region. Elevation averages about 632 feet.
Temperatures in Harris County range from a January mean low of 35°F to a July mean high near 90°F. Annual precipitation averages 51.6 inches.
Harris County ran 227 farms, 44,733 acres of farmland, and 1,845 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, milk, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Piedmont |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Dairy, Berries, Horses, 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 Harris County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
111 Baker St, Buena Vista, GA 31803
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 Harris County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 14% of farmland in Harris County, about 6,464 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 Harris County
Farms in Harris County average 197 acres, and about 19% are small operations. Roughly 34% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 116 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Harris County
Harris County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, milk, and equine. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Harris County Operations
Based on Harris County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Pasture improvement and rotational grazing systems receive priority funding for cattle operations. Chattahoochee River watershed protection drives riparian buffer establishment and water quality conservation practices.
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 Chambers County, Alabama, Lee County, Alabama, Meriwether County, Georgia, Muscogee County, Georgia, Talbot County, Georgia, and Troup County, Georgia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Harris County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Georgia guide: Georgia Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.