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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Carter County
Carter County lies in the North Cross Timbers (MLRA 84A) region. Elevation averages about 892 feet.
Carter County averages 38.2 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 62.7°F.
Carter County's agricultural base centers on cattle, equine, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 1,155 farms working 384,917 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 43,966 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | South-Central Oklahoma |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses, Sheep, Wheat, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 4+ 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 Carter County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
2428 Autumn Run, Suite A, Ardmore, OK 73401
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1215 N Hwy 77, Marietta, OK 73448
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 Carter County
Carter County reported 43,966 head of cattle across roughly 266,539 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a June growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Carter County.
Farm Structure in Carter County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Carter County, roughly 2,328 acres. Farms average 333 acres, with about 20% classed as small operations. Around 25% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Carter County
Carter 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 Carter County Operations
Based on Carter County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Grazing management practices protect sensitive spring ecosystems and maintain water quality in the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer region. Brush management programs help maintain productive grasslands among the limestone hills and oak woodlands.
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 Carter County
Carter County shares borders with Garvin County, Oklahoma, Jefferson County, Oklahoma, Johnston County, Oklahoma, Love County, Oklahoma, Marshall County, Oklahoma, and Murray County, Oklahoma. 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 Carter County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Oklahoma guide: Oklahoma Farm Programs Guide
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