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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About St. Mary Parish
St. Mary Parish sits within the Southern Mississippi River Alluvium (MLRA 131A) region. Elevation averages about 2 feet.
Temperatures in St. Mary Parish range from a January mean low of 45°F to a July mean high near 90°F. Annual precipitation averages 60.7 inches.
St. Mary Parish ran 75 farms, 65,220 acres of farmland, and 2,454 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, cattle, and honey.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Louisiana |
| Top Commodities | Sugarcane, Rice, Crawfish, Soybeans |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 8+ 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 St. Mary Parish.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
600 Main Street 2nd Floor Room 222, Franklin, LA 70538
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 St. Mary Parish Operations
Based on St. Mary Parish's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP supports drainage improvements and levee maintenance critical for sugarcane operations in this flood-prone coastal area. Disaster assistance is frequently utilized due to hurricane impacts and saltwater intrusion affecting crops.
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, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, St. Martin 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 St. Mary 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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