← Louisiana Farm Programs Guide
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Bienville Parish
Bienville Parish sits within the Western Coastal Plain (MLRA 133B) region. Elevation averages about 370 feet.
Temperatures in Bienville Parish range from a January mean low of 36°F to a July mean high near 93°F. Annual precipitation averages 56.5 inches.
Bienville Parish ran 150 farms, 16,269 acres of farmland, and 1,682 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, hogs, and honey.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest Louisiana |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Hogs, Honey |
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 Bienville Parish.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1311 Ringgold Ave, Coushatta, LA 71019
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
216b Broadway St, Minden, LA 71055
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 Bienville Parish
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 39% of farmland in Bienville Parish, about 6,394 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in August. 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 Bienville Parish
Farms in Bienville Parish average 108 acres, and about 30% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 31 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Bienville Parish
Bienville Parish's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, hogs, and honey. 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 confined livestock operations, waste management and nutrient planning. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Bienville Parish Operations
Based on Bienville Parish's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Agroforestry practices receive significant support for sustainable timber and livestock integration. Conservation programs emphasize wildlife habitat enhancement and water quality protection.
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 Bossier Parish, Louisiana, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, Jackson Parish, Louisiana, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, and Red River Parish, Louisiana. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Bienville Parish
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Louisiana guide: Louisiana Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.