Union County, Louisiana: USDA programs and conservation funding

414
Farms & Ranches
81K
Acres in Agriculture
197
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$7.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Deer, Equine, Goats
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Union County, Louisiana has 414 farms working 81,494 agricultural acres (average 197 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $7.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Deer. Vegetation typically peaks in Apr, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Union Parish

Elevation across Union Parish averages about 178 feet. The county falls within the Western Coastal Plain (MLRA 133B) land resource region.

Rainfall averages 56.5 inches per year. January lows average around 35°F while July highs reach about 93°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 414 farms in Union Parish, operating across 81,494 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 197 acres. Top commodities include cattle, deer, and equine.


Quick Facts

RegionNorth Louisiana
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Deer, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses, Floriculture

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).

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 Union Parish.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

501 Glory Road, Farmerville, LA 71241

(318) 368-8021

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

1412 Celebrity Drive, Ruston, LA 71270

(318) 255-2826

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 Union Parish Operations

Based on Union Parish's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

CRP supports conversion of marginal agricultural land to pine forests and wildlife habitat enhancement. EQIP assists with pasture improvement and livestock water systems on the parish's rolling terrain.

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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Union Parish: Ashley County, Arkansas, Union County, Arkansas, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, Morehouse Parish, Louisiana, and Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Union Parish

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Louisiana guide: Louisiana Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.76
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.80
Peak season (Apr)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Union County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.