Calhoun County, Mississippi: USDA programs and conservation funding

531
Farms & Ranches
181K
Acres in Agriculture
340
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$3.8M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Soybeans, Corn, Cotton, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Calhoun County, Mississippi has 531 farms working 180,673 agricultural acres (average 340 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $3.8 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Soybeans, Corn. Vegetation typically peaks in May, 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 Calhoun County

Calhoun County lies in the Gulf Coastal Plain (MLRA 133C) region. Elevation averages about 366 feet.

Calhoun County averages 57.6 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 62.4°F.

Calhoun County's agricultural base centers on soybeans, corn, and cotton. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 531 farms working 180,673 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 9,708 head.


Quick Facts

RegionNorth Central Mississippi
Top CommoditiesVegetables, Soybeans, Corn, Cotton, Cattle & calves, Hogs

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 6+ 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 Calhoun County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

409 S Main St, Calhoun City, MS 38916

(662) 628-8732

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 Calhoun County Operations

Based on Calhoun County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

EQIP funding supports poultry waste management and forest road improvements. CSP incentivizes prescribed burning and native grass establishment in pastures.

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 Calhoun County

Calhoun County shares borders with Chickasaw County, Mississippi, Grenada County, Mississippi, Lafayette County, Mississippi, Pontotoc County, Mississippi, Webster County, Mississippi, and Yalobusha County, Mississippi. 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 Calhoun County

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

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

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.65
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.75
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Calhoun 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.