Texas Farm Programs Guide

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

Quick Facts

Federal Programs in Texas

Federal programs like EQIP, CSP, and FSA loans are available nationwide, but how they work in practice varies by state — each state sets its own EQIP priorities, ranking criteria, and application deadlines. Below is how the federal programs apply specifically in Texas. For full details on any program, read the federal program guides.

EQIP in Texas

Texas receives one of the largest EQIP allocations in the country, reflecting its enormous agricultural land base. With nearly 250,000 farms and ranches, competition for EQIP is real but so is the available funding.

Texas EQIP Priorities:

• Rangeland and pasture improvement (statewide — Texas's #1 agricultural priority)
• Brush management (particularly mesquite and juniper across western and central TX)
• Livestock water development (critical in west Texas and the Panhandle)
• Soil health on cropland
• Irrigation water conservation (Ogallala Aquifer region — Panhandle and High Plains)
• Wildlife habitat (quail, deer, lesser prairie-chicken in western TX)
• Water quality in impaired watersheds

Livestock-Specific Practices Commonly Funded:

• Cross-fencing for rotational grazing
• Brush management (mesquite removal — huge demand)
• Livestock water development (wells, pipelines, tanks — critical in arid regions)
• Prescribed grazing systems
• Rangeland seeding and restoration
• Heavy use area protection
• Riparian and stream protection
• Prescribed burning (increasingly funded for rangeland management)

What ranks well: Brush management projects (especially mesquite in western TX) have historically ranked very well and there's dedicated funding. Water conservation projects in the Ogallala region rank high. Integrated rangeland improvement (brush management + fencing + water + prescribed grazing) scores much better than single practices.

Texas-specific note: Texas is organized into multiple NRCS areas, each with distinct priorities. What ranks well in the Panhandle (irrigation efficiency, wind erosion) is very different from what ranks in the Hill Country (brush management, spring protection) or the Gulf Coast (water quality, flooding). Talk to YOUR local office.

→ Read the full EQIP guide

CSP in Texas

Given the size of Texas ranches, CSP payments can be substantial. A ranch with thousands of acres of managed rangeland receiving even modest per-acre payments generates significant annual income.

Popular enhancements for Texas ranches:

• Prescribed burn management
• Brush management maintenance
• Adaptive grazing strategies
• Wildlife habitat management (quail-friendly practices are popular)
• Drought preparedness planning
• Monitoring rangeland health

→ Read the full CSP guide

CRP in Texas

Texas has significant CRP enrollment, particularly in the Panhandle (formerly plowed grassland) and the Rolling Plains. Rental rates vary enormously — from $15–$25/acre in far west Texas to $40–$80+ in more productive areas.

SAFE (State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement): Available for lesser prairie-chicken habitat in the Panhandle and other priority wildlife in parts of Texas.

FSA Programs in Texas

Texas ranchers should be especially familiar with disaster programs given the state's exposure to drought, wildfire, hurricanes, and flooding:

Key disaster considerations:

• Drought: Texas counties are frequently in D2-D4 drought conditions. LFP triggers regularly in western and southern TX. Monitor the Drought Monitor weekly.
• Wildfire: Major wildfire risk across western and central Texas. The 2024 Panhandle fires devastated operations. ELAP covers grazing losses and increased feed costs. LIP covers livestock deaths. ECP covers fence and infrastructure repair.
• Hurricanes and flooding: Gulf Coast and eastern Texas. ECP for farmland repair. ELAP for livestock-related losses.
• Extreme heat: LIP covers livestock death from heat events if documented.

Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP): In recent years, USDA has announced specific emergency programs for Texas producers affected by major disasters. Stay connected with your FSA office for announcements — eligibility windows can be short.

Texas FSA State Office: (254) 742-9700

Texas-Specific Programs

These programs are funded and run by the state of Texas, not the federal government. They can often be stacked with federal programs like EQIP for even greater value. Your local USDA office may or may not know about these — contact the state agencies directly.

Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB)

The TSSWCB administers several programs through Texas's 216 Soil and Water Conservation Districts:

Water Supply Enhancement Program (WSEP):

• State-funded brush management program specifically designed to increase water yield from Texas watersheds
• Focuses on removal of mesquite, cedar (juniper), and other brush that consumes groundwater
• Cost-share payments for brush removal
• Can stack with EQIP brush management in some cases — talk to both your NRCS office and your local SWCD

Flood Control Dam Maintenance:

• TSSWCB maintains flood control structures; producers near these structures may benefit from related conservation programs

Water Quality Management Plans:

• Required for certain agricultural operations near impaired water bodies
• Technical and financial assistance available through SWCDs
• Developing a WQMP can also improve your EQIP ranking for water quality practices

Find your SWCD: tsswcb.texas.gov/conservation-districts

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)

Landowner Incentive Program:

• Technical assistance for wildlife habitat management on private land
• TPWD wildlife biologists available to help develop wildlife management plans
• A wildlife management plan can make your property eligible for agricultural property tax valuation even without traditional agricultural use
• Wildlife habitat enhancements can score well on EQIP applications

Managed Lands Programs:

• Deer and wildlife management cooperatives
• Technical guidance from TPWD biologists

Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)

Texas Agricultural Finance Authority (TAFA):

• Loan guarantee programs for agricultural operations
• Young Farmer Grant Program — grants up to $20,000 for beginning farmers
• Agricultural Loan programs through commercial lenders with TDA guarantees

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

• County extension offices statewide
• Workshops on USDA programs, ranch management, financial planning
• Master Rancher Program — intensive ranch management training
• Can connect you with NRCS and FSA resources

Texas Tax Provisions for Ag

• No state income tax: Texas has no state income tax. EQIP and CSP payments are subject only to federal income tax — significant advantage.
• Agricultural property tax valuation: Texas offers both agricultural (1-d-1) and open-space agricultural valuation, which assesses land at productive value rather than market value. Changing land use can trigger a "rollback" tax — plan carefully.
• Wildlife management valuation: Land managed for wildlife under an approved wildlife management plan can qualify for the same property tax valuation as agricultural land. This creates interesting options for ranchers transitioning land use.
• Sales tax exemptions: Agricultural equipment and supplies purchased for farm use are exempt from Texas sales tax with a valid ag/timber registration number (from the Texas Comptroller).
• No state estate tax: Texas does not impose a state estate tax. Important for ranch succession.
• Franchise tax: Texas has a franchise (margin) tax on business entities. Agricultural operations structured as LLCs or corporations should ensure they're properly claiming deductions and exemptions.

Resources

USDA Offices

• Texas NRCS State Office: 101 S. Main St., Temple, TX 76501 · (254) 742-9800
• Texas FSA State Office: 2405 Texas Ave. S., College Station, TX 77840 · (254) 742-9700
• Find your local USDA Service Center: farmers.gov/service-locator

State Resources

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: agrilifeextension.tamu.edu
• Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association: tscra.org
• Texas Farm Bureau: texasfarmbureau.org
• TSSWCB: tsswcb.texas.gov
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept: tpwd.texas.gov
• Texas Dept of Agriculture: texasagriculture.gov

Key Deadlines (FY2026)

This guide is part of Farmer's Navigator. Free for everyone. Texas has more farms and ranches than any state — and more money being left on the table. Share this with a neighbor.