Heard County, Georgia: USDA programs and conservation funding

180
Farms & Ranches
34K
Acres in Agriculture
187
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$2.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Grain, Flowering Plants, Potted, Honey
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Heard County, Georgia has 180 farms working 33,726 agricultural acres (average 187 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $2.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, 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 Heard County

Heard County sits within the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) region. Elevation averages about 722 feet.

Temperatures in Heard County range from a January mean low of 32°F to a July mean high near 90°F. Annual precipitation averages 53.7 inches.

Heard County ran 180 farms, 33,726 acres of farmland, and 2,498 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, flowering plants, potted, and honey.


Quick Facts

RegionPiedmont
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Floriculture, Honey

Current Conditions

Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.

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 Heard County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

408 N White St, Carrollton, GA 30117

(770) 834-2097

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 Heard County Operations

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

Pasture improvement and soil health practices are emphasized for cattle operations on rolling terrain. Forest management and conservation practices support integrated agriculture-forestry operations.

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 Randolph County, Alabama, Carroll County, Georgia, Coweta 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 Heard 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 Prescribed GrazingCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.74
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.91
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Heard 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.