Bienville County, Louisiana: USDA programs and conservation funding

150
Farms & Ranches
16K
Acres in Agriculture
108
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$613K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Hogs, Honey
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Bienville County, Louisiana has 150 farms working 16,269 agricultural acres (average 108 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Hogs. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, 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 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

RegionNorthwest Louisiana
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Hogs, Honey

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 14+ 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 Bienville Parish.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

1311 Ringgold Ave, Coushatta, LA 71019

(318) 932-4231

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

216b Broadway St, Minden, LA 71055

(318) 377-3950

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.


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

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Louisiana guide: Louisiana Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.68
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.77
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Bienville 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.