Harrison County, Mississippi: USDA programs and conservation funding

318
Farms & Ranches
14K
Acres in Agriculture
45
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$1.7M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Sod, Equine, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Harrison County, Mississippi has 318 farms working 14,463 agricultural acres (average 45 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.7 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Sod. 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 Harrison County

Harrison County is part of the Gulf Coastal Plain land resource region (MLRA 133C). The county's mean elevation is about 13 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Harrison County sees 65.5 in of rain, a 67.1°F mean annual temperature.

Harrison County carries 1,907 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 5,257 acres. 318 farms operate in the county, averaging 45 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionGulf Coast Mississippi
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses, Berries, Poultry

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 Harrison County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

12238 Ashley Dr, Gulfport, MS 39503

(228) 831-0881

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

310 Highway 26 E Suite B, Poplarville, MS 39470

(601) 795-4409

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 Harrison County Operations

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

EQIP emphasizes hurricane recovery and coastal resilience for agricultural operations. Programs support urban agriculture and specialty crop production 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

Nearby Counties

Operators in Harrison County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Hancock County, Mississippi, Jackson County, Mississippi, Pearl River County, Mississippi, and Stone County, Mississippi. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Harrison 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 FencingEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.47
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.54
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Harrison 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.