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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Montgomery County
Montgomery County lies in the Gulf Coastal Plain (MLRA 133C) region. Elevation averages about 433 feet.
Montgomery County averages 57.6 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 62.7°F.
Montgomery County's agricultural base centers on cotton, corn, and goats. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 290 farms working 105,955 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 4,045 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Hills |
| Top Commodities | Cotton, Corn, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Montgomery County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
11 W Courthouse Dr, Winona, MS 38967
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 Montgomery County
Montgomery County reported 4,045 head of cattle across roughly 12,423 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a June growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Montgomery County.
Farm Structure in Montgomery County
Montgomery County reports about 108 acres under irrigation. Farms average 365 acres, with about 14% classed as small operations. Around 30% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Montgomery County
Montgomery County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cotton, 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 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 Montgomery County Operations
Based on Montgomery County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Pasture improvement programs help optimize forage production on rolling terrain with variable soil types. Conservation programs address soil erosion control and water quality protection in the headwaters of several creek 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
Counties Bordering Montgomery County
Montgomery County shares borders with Attala County, Mississippi, Carroll County, Mississippi, Choctaw County, Mississippi, Grenada County, Mississippi, and Webster County, Mississippi. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Montgomery 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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