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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Wilkinson County
Elevation across Wilkinson County averages about 267 feet. The county falls within the Southern Mississippi Valley Loess (MLRA 134) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 61.4 inches per year. January lows average around 39°F while July highs reach about 92°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 163 farms in Wilkinson County, operating across 121,506 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 745 acres. Top commodities include cattle, sorghum, and goats.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Mississippi |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Grain sorghum, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, 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 Wilkinson County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
100 Roberts Rd, Liberty, MS 39645
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 Wilkinson County
The forage year in Wilkinson County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in April (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 38,127 acres of pastureland and 10,868 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Wilkinson County
About 22% of Wilkinson County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 15% of farms are small and 17% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 745 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Wilkinson County
Wilkinson County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and sorghum. 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 Wilkinson County Operations
Based on Wilkinson County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation focus on erosion control along steep bluffs and stream corridors through buffer strips and terracing systems. CREP enrollment targets environmentally sensitive bottomland areas near the Mississippi River for wildlife habitat restoration.
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 Wilkinson County: Concordia Parish, Louisiana, East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, Adams County, Mississippi, Amite County, Mississippi, and Franklin County, Mississippi. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Wilkinson 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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