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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
| Region | North Louisiana |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Deer, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses, Floriculture |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Union Parish.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
501 Glory Road, Farmerville, LA 71241
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1412 Celebrity Drive, Ruston, LA 71270
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 Union Parish
The forage year in Union Parish runs from green-up in April to peak growth in April (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 26,727 acres of pastureland and 8,432 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Union Parish
About 20% of Union Parish producers are 65 or older. Roughly 19% of farms are small and 6% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 197 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Union Parish
Union Parish's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, deer, 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; 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 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
- 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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