Schley County, Georgia: USDA programs and conservation funding

101
Farms & Ranches
30K
Acres in Agriculture
298
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$436K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Honey, Goats, Goats
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Schley County, Georgia has 101 farms working 30,068 agricultural acres (average 298 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Honey. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, 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 Schley County

Elevation across Schley County averages about 517 feet. The county falls within the Carolina and Georgia Sand Hills (MLRA 137) land resource region.

Rainfall averages 50.1 inches per year. January lows average around 36°F while July highs reach about 91°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 101 farms in Schley County, operating across 30,068 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 298 acres. Top commodities include cattle, honey, and goats.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthwest Georgia
Top CommoditiesVegetables, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Honey, Goats, Sheep

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 21+ 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 Schley County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

127 William Bowen Pointe, Americus, GA 31719

(229) 924-4056

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 Schley County Operations

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

Specialty crop programs support pecan orchard management and irrigation systems. Integrated pest management reduces chemical inputs in high-value pecan production.

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 Schley County: Macon County, Georgia, Marion County, Georgia, Sumter County, Georgia, and Taylor County, Georgia. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Schley 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.

Vegetation Baseline

0.82
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.88
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Schley 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.