Pearl River County, Mississippi: USDA programs and conservation funding

665
Farms & Ranches
104K
Acres in Agriculture
157
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$11.3M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Sod, Field Crops, Other, Milk, Corn
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Pearl River County, Mississippi has 665 farms working 104,384 agricultural acres (average 157 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $11.3 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Sod, Field Crops, Other. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

← Mississippi Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Pearl River County

Pearl River County lies in the Gulf Coastal Plain (MLRA 133C) region. Elevation averages about 194 feet.

Pearl River County averages 64.6 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 66.7°F.

Pearl River County's agricultural base centers on cattle, sod, and milk. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 665 farms working 104,384 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 8,548 head.


Quick Facts

RegionSoutheast Mississippi
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Dairy, Vegetables, Poultry

Current Conditions

Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.

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 Pearl River County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

310 Highway 26 E Suite B, Poplarville, MS 39470

(601) 795-4409

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 Pearl River County Operations

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

Forest management practices emphasize sustainable timber harvesting and reforestation programs. Livestock operations receive support for pasture improvement and rotational grazing 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 Pearl River County

Pearl River County shares borders with St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, Washington Parish, Louisiana, Forrest County, Mississippi, Hancock County, Mississippi, Harrison County, Mississippi, and Lamar 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 Pearl River 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.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.78
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.84
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Pearl River 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.