Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Armstrong County
Armstrong County lies in the Southern High Plains, Southern Part (MLRA 77C) region. Elevation averages about 3,346 feet.
Armstrong County averages 20.6 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 303 days. Annual mean temperature is 59.5°F.
Armstrong County's agricultural base centers on cotton, sorghum, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 184 farms working 461,617 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 26,388 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Texas Panhandle |
| Top Commodities | Cotton, Grain sorghum, Horses, Hogs |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 6+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14
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 Armstrong County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
Butler Bldg, 1st & Andrus St, Claude, TX 79019
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
6565 W Amarillo Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79106
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.
Programs for Armstrong County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Armstrong County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland health in Palo Duro Canyon country, irrigation efficiency (Ogallala Aquifer), wind erosion control, and soil health on cropland.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Irrigation water management, cover crops, residue management, brush management, livestock water development, and windbreak establishment.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. It takes 2 minutes and generates a personalized action packet you can print and bring to your USDA office.
Local Conservation Priorities
Every county has specific conservation priorities set by the Local Working Group (LWG), a committee of local ranchers, farmers, NRCS staff, and conservation partners. EQIP applications that address local priorities score higher in the ranking process.
Armstrong County Conservation Priorities
Armstrong County sits on the Panhandle caprock at the edge of Palo Duro Canyon, with cattle operations ranging from cow-calf on rangeland to stocker and feedlot enterprises. Conservation priorities here address both rangeland and cropland:
- Ogallala Aquifer water conservation: Irrigation efficiency improvements (LEPA/LESA conversions, soil moisture monitoring) may qualify for EQIP cost-share. The aquifer is declining across the Panhandle, and water-saving practices score well.
- Brush management: Mesquite and cedar encroachment on rangeland reduces grazing capacity. Mechanical removal and prescribed burning are commonly funded.
- Livestock water development: Wells, pipelines, and tanks that distribute grazing pressure and reduce dependence on declining surface water.
- Wind erosion control: Cover crops, residue management, and windbreak establishment on cropland acres.
- Prescribed grazing: Rotational grazing systems that improve rangeland health on canyon breaks and caprock pastures.
Insurance note: Cattle operations here can benefit from Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) for price risk on feeder and fed cattle. Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) insurance may help offset forage losses during the dry spells that are common in the Panhandle.
Confirm current priorities with your local NRCS office. You can also attend the annual LWG meeting. They’re open to all producers.
Counties Bordering Armstrong County
Armstrong County shares borders with Briscoe County, Texas, Carson County, Texas, Donley County, Texas, Gray County, Texas, Potter County, Texas, and Randall County, Texas. 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 Armstrong County
- Run the eligibility screener to see which programs fit your operation: Free Screener
- Find your local USDA Service Center and call to schedule a meeting: Service Center Locator
- Read the full Texas guide for statewide program details, deadlines, and office contacts: Texas Farm Programs Guide
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