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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Neshoba County
Neshoba County sits within the Gulf Coastal Plain (MLRA 133C) region. Elevation averages about 404 feet.
Temperatures in Neshoba County range from a January mean low of 34°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 57.6 inches.
Neshoba County ran 522 farms, 89,971 acres of farmland, and 8,796 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, equine, and goats.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Central Hills |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Neshoba County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
511 E Lawn Dr, Philadelphia, MS 39350
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 Neshoba County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 32% of farmland in Neshoba County, about 28,852 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 Neshoba County
Farms in Neshoba County average 172 acres, and about 19% are small operations. Roughly 29% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 30 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Neshoba County
With cattle and goats in the mix in Neshoba 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 waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations). 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 Neshoba County Operations
Based on Neshoba County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Forest management programs help landowners balance timber production with agricultural and wildlife habitat goals. Water system development supports livestock operations in areas with limited surface water availability.
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, Kemper County, Mississippi, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, Leake County, Mississippi, Newton County, Mississippi, and Winston County, Mississippi. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Neshoba 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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