Winston County, Mississippi: USDA programs and conservation funding

448
Farms & Ranches
89K
Acres in Agriculture
199
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$3.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine, Equine, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Winston County, Mississippi has 448 farms working 89,088 agricultural acres (average 199 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $3.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

Programs likely to fit Winston County operations

With 448 farms averaging 199 acres, a cattle and equine commodity base, vegetation peaking near Jun at 0.87 NDVI, these are the federal programs most worth a closer look. Every program is competitive — confirm fit with your local USDA office.

← Mississippi Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Winston County

Winston County is part of the Gulf Coastal Plain land resource region (MLRA 133C). The county's mean elevation is about 490 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Winston County sees 57.0 in of rain, a 63.0°F mean annual temperature.

Winston County carries 9,207 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 22,106 acres. 448 farms operate in the county, averaging 199 acres each.

Quick Facts
RegionEast Central Mississippi
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Horses, 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 Winston County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

779 S Columbus Ave, Louisville, MS 39339

(662) 773-2207

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 Winston County

Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Winston County greening up around April and peaking in June. The county carries about 22,106 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.

Farm Structure in Winston County

The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Winston County at an average farm size of 199 acres, 19% small operations, 28% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 113 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.

What Tends to Fit in Winston County

Winston County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, equine, and equine. 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 Winston County Operations

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

Programs promote silvopasture systems that combine timber management with livestock grazing to maximize land productivity. Conservation practices focus on riparian forest buffers and erosion control on sloped forestland.

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

Nearby Counties

Operators in Winston County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Attala County, Mississippi, Choctaw County, Mississippi, Kemper County, Mississippi, Leake County, Mississippi, Neshoba County, Mississippi, and Noxubee County, Mississippi. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Winston 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 FencingCRPEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentEQIP Brush Management

Vegetation Baseline

0.79
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.87
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Winston 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.