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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Pulaski County
Pulaski County is part of the Kentucky and Indiana Sandstone and Shale Hills and Valleys, Southern Part land resource region (MLRA 120A). The county's mean elevation is about 461 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Pulaski County sees 49.5 in of rain, a 334-day growing season, a 57.8°F mean annual temperature.
Pulaski County carries 3,655 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 4,348 acres. 166 farms operate in the county, averaging 601 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southern Illinois |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Corn, Fruit & tree nuts, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Pulaski County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
201 Springfield Ave, Anna, IL 62906
This county also has 1 additional NRCS and 1 additional FSA offices. 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 Pulaski County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Pulaski County greening up around April and peaking in August. The county carries about 4,348 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Pulaski County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Pulaski County at an average farm size of 601 acres, 13% small operations, 14% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 4,544 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Pulaski County
Pulaski County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, soybeans, and corn. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Pulaski County Operations
Based on Pulaski County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CREP initiatives target wetland restoration and water quality improvement in the Cache River watershed. Disaster assistance programs are crucial due to frequent flooding from the confluence of major rivers.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Pulaski County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Alexander County, Illinois, Johnson County, Illinois, Massac County, Illinois, Union County, Illinois, Ballard County, Kentucky, and McCracken County, Kentucky. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Pulaski County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Illinois guide: Illinois Farm Programs Guide
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