Claiborne County, Louisiana: USDA programs and conservation funding

231
Farms & Ranches
70K
Acres in Agriculture
304
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$4.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine, Equine, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Claiborne County, Louisiana has 231 farms working 70,182 agricultural acres (average 304 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $4.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine. 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 Claiborne Parish

Claiborne Parish is part of the Western Coastal Plain land resource region (MLRA 133B). The county's mean elevation is about 267 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Claiborne Parish sees 55.9 in of rain, a 64.0°F mean annual temperature.

Claiborne Parish carries 4,818 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 20,569 acres. 231 farms operate in the county, averaging 304 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionNorth Louisiana
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts, Honey, Hogs

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 9+ 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 Claiborne Parish.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

216b Broadway St, Minden, LA 71055

(318) 377-3950

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 Claiborne Parish Operations

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

Agroforestry programs promote sustainable integration of timber and livestock operations. Beginning farmer initiatives focus on small-scale diversified operations and direct marketing opportunities.

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 Claiborne Parish frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Columbia County, Arkansas, Union County, Arkansas, Bienville Parish, Louisiana, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, Union Parish, Louisiana, and Webster Parish, Louisiana. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Claiborne 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

0.84
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.90
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Claiborne 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.