Lee County, Mississippi: USDA programs and conservation funding

392
Farms & Ranches
97K
Acres in Agriculture
248
Avg Farm Size (acres)
Top commodities: Grain, Soybeans, Cotton, Corn, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Lee County, Mississippi has 392 farms working 97,272 agricultural acres (average 248 acres per farm). Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Soybeans, Cotton. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, 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 Lee County

Elevation across Lee County averages about 262 feet. The county falls within the Alabama and Mississippi Blackland Prairie (MLRA 135A) land resource region.

Rainfall averages 58.0 inches per year. January lows average around 32°F while July highs reach about 91°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 392 farms in Lee County, operating across 97,272 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 248 acres. Top commodities include soybeans, cotton, and corn.


Quick Facts

RegionNortheast Hills
Top CommoditiesSoybeans, Cotton, Corn, Wheat, Vegetables, Horses

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

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 Lee County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

3098 Cliff Gookin Blvd, Tupelo, MS 38801

(662) 680-9991

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 Lee County Operations

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

Advanced conservation programs support precision agriculture adoption and nutrient management for intensive farming systems. Integrated pest management programs help maintain sustainable production in high-value 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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Lee County: Chickasaw County, Mississippi, Itawamba County, Mississippi, Monroe County, Mississippi, Pontotoc County, Mississippi, Prentiss County, Mississippi, and Union County, Mississippi. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Lee 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.

Vegetation Baseline

0.57
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.81
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Lee 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.