Walton County, Georgia: USDA programs and conservation funding

406
Farms & Ranches
55K
Acres in Agriculture
136
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$6.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Floriculture, Other, Field Crops, Other, Grain, Specialty Animals, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Walton County, Georgia has 406 farms working 55,131 agricultural acres (average 136 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $6.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Floriculture, Other, Field Crops, Other. 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 Walton County

Walton County lies in the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) region. Elevation averages about 796 feet.

Walton County averages 51.2 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 61.6°F.

Walton County's agricultural base centers on cattle. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 406 farms working 55,131 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 2,373 head.


Quick Facts

RegionNorth Central Georgia
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Floriculture, Goats, Corn

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 Walton County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

111 E Spring St, Monroe, GA 30655

(770) 267-1359

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 Walton County Operations

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

EQIP supports farmland preservation practices and buffer zones near developing areas. Beginning farmer programs help new operators establish sustainable operations in the Atlanta metro region.

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

Counties Bordering Walton County

Walton County shares borders with Barrow County, Georgia, Gwinnett County, Georgia, Morgan County, Georgia, Newton County, Georgia, Oconee County, Georgia, and Rockdale County, Georgia. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Walton 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 FencingCRPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.68
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.80
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Walton 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.