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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Caddo Parish
Caddo Parish sits within the Western Coastal Plain (MLRA 133B) region. Elevation averages about 221 feet.
Temperatures in Caddo Parish range from a January mean low of 37°F to a July mean high near 94°F. Annual precipitation averages 52.2 inches.
Caddo Parish ran 589 farms, 155,636 acres of farmland, and 28,634 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cotton, corn, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest Louisiana |
| Top Commodities | Cotton, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Vegetables, Horses |
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 Caddo Parish.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1402 Hawn Ave, Shreveport, LA 71107
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 Caddo Parish
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 32% of farmland in Caddo Parish, about 49,352 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around March and forage peaks in June. 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 Caddo Parish
Farms in Caddo Parish average 264 acres, and about 41% are small operations. Roughly 31% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 25,190 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Caddo Parish
Given the operation mix in Caddo Parish, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Caddo Parish Operations
Based on Caddo Parish's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Urban agriculture initiatives support local food systems and beginning farmers near Shreveport. Advanced conservation practices focus on nutrient management and Red River 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 Miller County, Arkansas, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, De Soto Parish, Louisiana, Red River Parish, Louisiana, Cass County, Texas, and Harrison County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Caddo Parish
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Louisiana guide: Louisiana Farm Programs Guide
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