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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Mississippi River Delta extending to the Gulf of Mexico with natural levees providing narrow strips of agricultural land. Surrounded by vast coastal marshes and wetlands with ongoing land loss from subsidence.
Citrus groves historically important but declining due to hurricanes and saltwater intrusion. Cattle operations utilize limited higher ground with some vegetable production on protected levee areas.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Louisiana |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Floriculture, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Berries, Poultry |
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 Plaquemines Parish.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1041 Rue La Cannes Dr, Luling, LA 70070
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
151 E 3rd St, Edgard, LA 70049
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.
Farm Structure in Plaquemines Parish
Farms in Plaquemines Parish average 1,226 acres, and about 49% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 268 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Plaquemines Parish
Plaquemines Parish's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, tomatoes, and honey. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for apiaries, pollinator habitat plantings. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Plaquemines Parish Operations
Based on Plaquemines Parish's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Hurricane recovery and saltwater intrusion mitigation are primary program focuses. Coastal protection initiatives essential for maintaining any agricultural viability in this vulnerable delta environment.
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
Your Next Steps in Plaquemines 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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