Lamar County, Georgia: USDA programs and conservation funding

175
Farms & Ranches
39K
Acres in Agriculture
226
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$2.2M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Soybeans, Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Wheat
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Lamar County, Georgia has 175 farms working 39,485 agricultural acres (average 226 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $2.2 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Soybeans, Cattle. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

Programs likely to fit Lamar County operations

With 175 farms averaging 226 acres, a grain and soybeans commodity base, vegetation peaking near Jul at 0.87 NDVI, these are the federal programs most worth a closer look. Every program is competitive — confirm fit with your local USDA office.

← Georgia Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Lamar County

Lamar County is part of the Southern Piedmont land resource region (MLRA 136). The county's mean elevation is about 806 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Lamar County sees 49.6 in of rain, a 62.8°F mean annual temperature.

Lamar County carries 1,248 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 8,532 acres. 175 farms operate in the county, averaging 226 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionWest Central Georgia
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses

Current Conditions

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

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 Lamar County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

231 Highway 41 N, Barnesville, GA 30204

(770) 358-0787

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 Lamar County

Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Lamar County greening up around April and peaking in July. The county carries about 8,532 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 Lamar County

The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Lamar County at an average farm size of 226 acres, 29% small operations, 24% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 359 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 Lamar County

Lamar County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, soybeans, and cattle. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.


Programs for Lamar County Operations

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

Conservation programs focus on pasture management and riparian buffer establishment along creek systems. EQIP funding supports livestock facility improvements and water quality protection measures.

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 Lamar County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Butts County, Georgia, Monroe County, Georgia, Pike County, Georgia, Spalding County, Georgia, and Upson County, Georgia. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Lamar 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 FencingCRPEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentEQIP Brush Management

Vegetation Baseline

0.79
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.87
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Lamar 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.