Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Lowndes County
Lowndes County sits within the Southern Coastal Plain (MLRA 133A) region. Elevation averages about 211 feet.
Temperatures in Lowndes County range from a January mean low of 40°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 51.0 inches.
Lowndes County ran 389 farms, 84,299 acres of farmland, and 1,815 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cotton, sod, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Georgia |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Cotton, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Corn |
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 Lowndes County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
516a County Farm Rd Ste 2, Nashville, GA 31639
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
2108 E Hill Ave, Valdosta, GA 31601
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Lowndes County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 6% of farmland in Lowndes County, about 5,421 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 Lowndes County
Farms in Lowndes County average 217 acres, and about 37% are small operations. Roughly 20% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 3,562 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Lowndes County
Given the operation mix in Lowndes County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage for specialty-crop acres. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Lowndes County Operations
Based on Lowndes County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP programs promote precision agriculture and integrated pest management in row crop systems. Conservation efforts focus on soil health improvement and water quality protection in river watersheds.
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 Hamilton County, Florida, Madison County, Florida, Berrien County, Georgia, Brooks County, Georgia, Cook County, Georgia, and Echols County, Georgia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Lowndes 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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