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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About St. Martin Parish
St. Martin Parish lies in the Southern Mississippi River Alluvium (MLRA 131A) region. Elevation averages about 9 feet.
St. Martin Parish averages 62.0 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 68.6°F.
St. Martin Parish's agricultural base centers on rice, equine, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 378 farms working 102,604 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 1,960 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Louisiana |
| Top Commodities | Sugarcane, Crawfish, Rice, Cattle & calves, Soybeans |
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 St. Martin Parish.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
905 Jefferson St Ste 300, Lafayette, LA 70501
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
114 Courthouse St, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
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 St. Martin Parish
St. Martin Parish reported 1,960 head of cattle across roughly 5,390 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows March green-up and a May growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for St. Martin Parish.
Farm Structure in St. Martin Parish
Irrigation covers about 5% of farmland in St. Martin Parish, roughly 5,164 acres. Farms average 271 acres, with about 42% classed as small operations. Around 25% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in St. Martin Parish
St. Martin Parish's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, rice, and equine. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing, and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for St. Martin Parish Operations
Based on St. Martin Parish's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs support efficient water management for sugarcane irrigation and crawfish pond operations. Wetland conservation initiatives help balance agricultural production with Atchafalaya Basin ecosystem protection.
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
Counties Bordering St. Martin Parish
St. Martin Parish shares borders with Assumption Parish, Louisiana, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, Iberville Parish, Louisiana, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana, and St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in St. Martin 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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