Caldwell County, Louisiana: USDA programs and conservation funding

241
Farms & Ranches
71K
Acres in Agriculture
295
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$1.2M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Cotton, Cattle, Soybeans
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Caldwell County, Louisiana has 241 farms working 70,993 agricultural acres (average 295 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.2 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Cotton. Vegetation typically peaks in May, 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 Caldwell Parish

Elevation across Caldwell Parish averages about 99 feet. The county falls within the Western Coastal Plain (MLRA 133B) land resource region.

Rainfall averages 57.3 inches per year. January lows average around 37°F while July highs reach about 93°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 241 farms in Caldwell Parish, operating across 70,993 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 295 acres. Top commodities include corn, cotton, and cattle.


Quick Facts

RegionNorth Central Louisiana
Top CommoditiesCorn, Cotton, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses

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 Caldwell Parish.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

7128 Highway 165, Columbia, LA 71418

(318) 649-2651

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

2410 Old Sterlington Rd Ste A, Monroe, LA 71203

(318) 343-4467

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 Caldwell Parish Operations

Based on Caldwell Parish's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Bottomland hardwood restoration programs balance agricultural production with wildlife habitat conservation. Soil conservation practices focus on preventing erosion on sloped upland areas.

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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Caldwell Parish: Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, Franklin Parish, Louisiana, Jackson Parish, Louisiana, LaSalle Parish, Louisiana, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, and Richland Parish, Louisiana. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Caldwell 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 Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.85
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.89
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Caldwell 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.