Cameron County, Louisiana: USDA programs and conservation funding

230
Farms & Ranches
154K
Acres in Agriculture
669
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$5.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Equine, Field Crops, Other, Sheep
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Cameron County, Louisiana has 230 farms working 153,946 agricultural acres (average 669 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $5.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Equine. Vegetation typically peaks in Sep, 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 Cameron Parish

Cameron Parish is part of the Gulf Coast Marsh land resource region (MLRA 151). The county's mean elevation is about -2 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Cameron Parish sees 60.6 in of rain, a 69.1°F mean annual temperature.

Cameron Parish carries 6,688 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 109,838 acres. 230 farms operate in the county, averaging 669 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthwest Louisiana
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Horses, Sheep

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).

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 Cameron Parish.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

5417 Gerstner Memorial Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70607

(337) 474-1583

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 Cameron Parish Operations

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

Livestock protection programs are critical due to frequent hurricane impacts and storm surge flooding. Coastal restoration efforts integrate agricultural lands with marsh protection and wildlife habitat enhancement.

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 Cameron Parish frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, Jefferson County, Texas, and Orange County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Cameron 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 Prescribed GrazingCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.21
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.45
Peak season (Sep)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Cameron 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.