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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Lamar County
Lamar County sits within the Gulf Coastal Plain (MLRA 133C) region. Elevation averages about 307 feet.
Temperatures in Lamar County range from a January mean low of 38°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 62.2 inches.
Lamar County ran 385 farms, 52,915 acres of farmland, and 4,059 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, equine, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Piney Woods |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Horses, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Lamar County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
191 Wsf Tatum Blvd, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Lamar County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 32% of farmland in Lamar County, about 17,037 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in July. 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 Lamar County
Farms in Lamar County average 137 acres, and about 28% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 276 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Lamar County
With cattle and equine in the mix in Lamar County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Lamar County Operations
Based on Lamar County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs support small farm development and specialty crop production for local and regional markets. Water system improvements help farms develop irrigation for vegetable and specialty crop enterprises.
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 Covington County, Mississippi, Forrest County, Mississippi, Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, Marion County, Mississippi, and Pearl River County, Mississippi. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Lamar 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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