Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Putnam County
Putnam County sits within the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) region. Elevation averages about 509 feet.
Temperatures in Putnam County range from a January mean low of 33°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 46.7 inches.
Putnam County ran 161 farms, 41,183 acres of farmland, and 4,603 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, cattle, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Georgia |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Corn, Horses, Poultry |
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 Putnam County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
130 Sparta Hwy, Eatonton, GA 31024
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 Putnam County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 34% of farmland in Putnam County, about 13,803 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 Putnam County
Farms in Putnam County average 256 acres, and about 15% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,703 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Putnam County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Putnam County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and 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 Putnam County Operations
Based on Putnam County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water quality protection programs focus on the Oconee River watershed and Lake Sinclair. Pasture renovation and livestock facility improvements are common conservation practices.
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 Baldwin County, Georgia, Greene County, Georgia, Hancock County, Georgia, Jasper County, Georgia, Jones County, Georgia, and Morgan County, Georgia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Putnam 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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