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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About St. James Parish
St. James Parish sits within the Southern Mississippi River Alluvium (MLRA 131A) region. Elevation averages about 8 feet.
Temperatures in St. James Parish range from a January mean low of 43°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 64.1 inches.
St. James Parish ran 61 farms, 44,101 acres of farmland, and 915 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Louisiana |
| Top Commodities | Sugarcane, Cattle & calves, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 St. James Parish.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
2259 Business Park Blvd., Donaldsonville, LA 70346
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 St. James Parish
Farms in St. James Parish average 723 acres, and about 32% are small operations. Roughly 37% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 40 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in St. James Parish
St. James Parish's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, soybeans, and cattle. 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 rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for St. James Parish Operations
Based on St. James Parish's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs support maintaining sugarcane production efficiency on premium agricultural soils. Technical assistance helps farmers adapt to development pressure while maximizing productivity.
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 Ascension Parish, Louisiana, Assumption Parish, Louisiana, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, and St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in St. James 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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