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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Vermilion Parish
Vermilion Parish is part of the Gulf Coast Marsh land resource region (MLRA 151). The county's mean elevation is about 1 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Vermilion Parish sees 61.7 in of rain, a 69.0°F mean annual temperature.
Vermilion Parish carries 6,360 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 62,003 acres. 1,113 farms operate in the county, averaging 287 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Louisiana |
| Top Commodities | Rice, Cattle & calves, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry, Vegetables |
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 Vermilion Parish.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
3221 Veterans Memorial Dr Ste H, Abbeville, LA 70510
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 Vermilion Parish
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Vermilion Parish greening up around March and peaking in May. The county carries about 62,003 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Vermilion Parish
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Vermilion Parish at an average farm size of 287 acres, 27% small operations, 24% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 72,051 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Vermilion Parish
Vermilion Parish's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, rice, 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 Vermilion Parish Operations
Based on Vermilion Parish's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP supports advanced water management systems essential for rice-crawfish rotation operations and coastal prairie drainage. CREP targets water quality improvement and habitat restoration in areas adjacent to coastal marshes and waterways.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Vermilion Parish frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Acadia Parish, Louisiana, Cameron Parish, Louisiana, Iberia Parish, Louisiana, Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, and Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Vermilion 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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