Lee County, Georgia: USDA programs and conservation funding

180
Farms & Ranches
111K
Acres in Agriculture
617
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$2.4M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Cotton, Field Crops, Other, Soybeans
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Lee County, Georgia has 180 farms working 110,997 agricultural acres (average 617 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $2.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Cotton. 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 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

RegionSouthwest Georgia
Top CommoditiesCorn, Cotton, Fruit & tree nuts, Soybeans, Wheat, Cattle & calves

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 13+ 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 Lee County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

101 Main St, Leesburg, GA 31763

(229) 759-9267

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 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

  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 Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.74
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.86
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Lee 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.