Chickasaw County, Mississippi: USDA programs and conservation funding

424
Farms & Ranches
164K
Acres in Agriculture
386
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$9.2M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Hogs, Soybeans, Cattle, Corn
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Chickasaw County, Mississippi has 424 farms working 163,560 agricultural acres (average 386 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $9.2 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Hogs, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, 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 Chickasaw County

Chickasaw County lies in the Alabama and Mississippi Blackland Prairie (MLRA 135A) region. Elevation averages about 349 feet.

Chickasaw County averages 56.9 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 62.5°F.

Chickasaw County's agricultural base centers on hogs, soybeans, and cattle. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 424 farms working 163,560 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 22,886 head.


Quick Facts

RegionNortheast Mississippi
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Hogs, Vegetables, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Corn

Current Conditions

Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.

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 Chickasaw County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

415 Lee Horn Dr, Houston, MS 38851

(662) 456-1499

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 Chickasaw County Operations

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

EQIP supports precision agriculture adoption and livestock facility improvements. CSP promotes cover cropping and integrated pest management in row crop systems.

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 Chickasaw County

Chickasaw County shares borders with Calhoun County, Mississippi, Clay County, Mississippi, Lee County, Mississippi, Monroe County, Mississippi, Pontotoc County, Mississippi, and Webster 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 Chickasaw 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

CSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.80
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.90
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Chickasaw 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.