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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Holmes County
Holmes County sits within the Southern Mississippi Valley Loess (MLRA 134) region. Elevation averages about 271 feet.
Temperatures in Holmes County range from a January mean low of 36°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 55.9 inches.
Holmes County ran 483 farms, 278,596 acres of farmland, and 7,402 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, corn, and cotton.
Quick Facts
| Region | Mississippi Delta |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Corn, Cotton, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 23+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Holmes County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
20227 Highway 12 W, Lexington, MS 39095
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 Holmes County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 8% of farmland in Holmes County, about 22,137 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in June. 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 Holmes County
Farms in Holmes County average 577 acres, and about 9% are small operations. Roughly 32% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 71,949 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Holmes County
Holmes County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, soybeans, 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 rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Holmes County Operations
Based on Holmes County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs focus heavily on water management and soil erosion control in the flat delta terrain. Precision agriculture practices are widely adopted to optimize fertilizer application and irrigation efficiency.
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, Carroll County, Mississippi, Humphreys County, Mississippi, Leflore County, Mississippi, Madison County, Mississippi, and Yazoo County, Mississippi. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Holmes 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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