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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Clay County
Clay County is part of the Alabama and Mississippi Blackland Prairie land resource region (MLRA 135A). The county's mean elevation is about 271 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Clay County sees 56.3 in of rain, a 63.1°F mean annual temperature.
Clay County carries 15,195 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 38,762 acres. 370 farms operate in the county, averaging 426 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Mississippi |
| Top Commodities | Hogs, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Cotton, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Clay County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
40 N Jackson St, West Point, MS 39773
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 Clay County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Clay County greening up around April and peaking in July. The county carries about 38,762 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 Clay County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Clay County at an average farm size of 426 acres, 11% small operations, 24% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 152 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 Clay County
Clay County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were hogs, grain, and corn. 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 confined livestock operations, waste management and nutrient planning. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Clay County Operations
Based on Clay County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP funding targets drainage improvements in bottomlands and erosion control on slopes. CSP supports cover cropping and conservation tillage adoption in row crop areas.
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 Clay County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Chickasaw County, Mississippi, Lowndes County, Mississippi, Monroe County, Mississippi, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, and Webster County, Mississippi. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Clay 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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