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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Lafourche Parish
Lafourche Parish sits within the Gulf Coast Marsh (MLRA 151) region. Elevation averages about -2 feet.
Temperatures in Lafourche Parish range from a January mean low of 46°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 63.2 inches.
Lafourche Parish ran 339 farms, 185,571 acres of farmland, and 6,638 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, goats, and hogs.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Louisiana |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Poultry, Goats, Hogs, Sheep |
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 Lafourche Parish.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
143 Laura Drive, Thibodaux, LA 70301
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 Lafourche Parish
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 15% of farmland in Lafourche Parish, about 27,281 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around January and forage peaks in July. 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 Lafourche Parish
Farms in Lafourche Parish average 547 acres, and about 35% are small operations. Roughly 17% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 389 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Lafourche Parish
With cattle and goats in the mix in Lafourche Parish, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Lafourche Parish Operations
Based on Lafourche Parish's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Drainage and flood protection programs are critical for maintaining agricultural productivity. Hurricane recovery assistance frequently needed due to coastal storm exposure.
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 Assumption Parish, Louisiana, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, St. James Parish, Louisiana, St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, and Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Lafourche 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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