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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Stephens County
Elevation across Stephens County averages about 1,094 feet. The county falls within the North Cross Timbers (MLRA 84A) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 35.2 inches per year. January lows average around 29°F while July highs reach about 95°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 1,098 farms in Stephens County, operating across 436,745 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 398 acres. Top commodities include cattle, wheat, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Oklahoma |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts, Sheep, Dairy |
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 Stephens County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
3901 W Beech, Duncan, OK 73534
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 Stephens County
The forage year in Stephens County runs from green-up in March to peak growth in April (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 308,727 acres of pastureland and 59,918 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Stephens County
About 25% of Stephens County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 17% of farms are small and 8% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 398 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Stephens County
With cattle and equine in the mix in Stephens County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Stephens County Operations
Based on Stephens County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Soil health practices help improve the clay soils' water infiltration and reduce erosion problems. Crop insurance programs are essential for managing weather risks in wheat and cotton production.
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 Stephens County: Carter County, Oklahoma, Comanche County, Oklahoma, Cotton County, Oklahoma, Garvin County, Oklahoma, Grady County, Oklahoma, and Jefferson County, Oklahoma. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Stephens 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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