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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Curry County
Curry County is part of the Southern High Plains, Southern Part land resource region (MLRA 77C). The county's mean elevation is about 4,429 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Curry County sees 17.0 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 57.2°F mean annual temperature.
Curry County carries 40,799 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 422,135 acres. 665 farms operate in the county, averaging 1,341 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Eastern New Mexico |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Cattle & calves, Corn, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Cotton |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 23+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Curry County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
918 Parkland Dr, Clovis, NM 88101
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 Curry County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Curry County greening up around June and peaking in August. The county carries about 422,135 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 Curry County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Curry County at an average farm size of 1,341 acres, 9% small operations, 27% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 58,440 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 Curry County
Curry County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were milk, cattle, and grain. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Curry County Operations
Based on Curry County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water conservation and irrigation efficiency receive top priority given groundwater depletion concerns. Dairy waste management and nutrient application programs help manage environmental impacts of concentrated livestock operations.
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 Curry County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Quay County, New Mexico, Roosevelt County, New Mexico, Bailey County, Texas, Deaf Smith County, Texas, and Parmer County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Curry County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the New Mexico guide: New Mexico Farm Programs Guide
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