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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Choctaw County
Choctaw County sits within the Gulf Coastal Plain (MLRA 133C) region. Elevation averages about 551 feet.
Temperatures in Choctaw County range from a January mean low of 33°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 57.8 inches.
Choctaw County ran 200 farms, 40,712 acres of farmland, and 1,584 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Mississippi |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Choctaw County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
571 S Louisville St, Ackerman, MS 39735
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
510 Highway 25 North, Starkville, MS 39759
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 Choctaw County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 18% of farmland in Choctaw County, about 7,328 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in May. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Choctaw County
Farms in Choctaw County average 204 acres, and about 11% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up.
Programs for Choctaw County Operations
Based on Choctaw County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP prioritizes forest stand improvement and livestock water development. CRP targets steep slopes and riparian areas for permanent conservation cover.
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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Attala County, Mississippi, Montgomery County, Mississippi, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, Webster County, Mississippi, and Winston County, Mississippi. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Choctaw County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Mississippi guide: Mississippi Farm Programs Guide
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