Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Lee County
Elevation across Lee County averages about 265 feet. The county falls within the Southern Coastal Plain (MLRA 133A) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 50.5 inches per year. January lows average around 38°F while July highs reach about 92°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 180 farms in Lee County, operating across 110,997 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 617 acres. Top commodities include corn, cotton, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Georgia |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Cotton, Fruit & tree nuts, Soybeans, Wheat, Cattle & calves |
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 Lee County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
101 Main St, Leesburg, GA 31763
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 Lee County
The forage year in Lee County runs from green-up in July to peak growth in August (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 3,276 acres of pastureland and 707 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Lee County
About 29% of Lee County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 25% of farms are small and 18% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 617 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Lee County
With corn and soybeans in the mix in Lee County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Lee County Operations
Based on Lee County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP programs focus on irrigation water use efficiency and precision agriculture technologies. Conservation efforts emphasize protecting groundwater resources while maintaining agricultural productivity.
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 Lee County: Crisp County, Georgia, Dougherty County, Georgia, Sumter County, Georgia, Terrell County, Georgia, and Worth County, Georgia. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Lee 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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