Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Austin County
Austin County lies in the Gulf Coast Prairies (MLRA 150A) region. Elevation averages about 149 feet.
Austin County averages 45.5 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 69.3°F.
Austin County's agricultural base centers on cattle, equine, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 1,930 farms working 258,883 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 59,830 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Gulf Coast Prairie |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Horses, Corn, Cotton, Grain sorghum, Rice |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Austin County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1351 W Main St., Bellville, TX 77418
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 Austin County
Austin County reported 59,830 head of cattle across roughly 175,350 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a May 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 Austin County.
Farm Structure in Austin County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Austin County, roughly 2,217 acres. Farms average 134 acres, with about 36% classed as small operations. Around 25% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Austin County
Austin County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, 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 Austin County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Austin County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Water quality, pasture improvement, rice field habitat management, and livestock infrastructure.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Nutrient management on rice fields, cross-fencing, livestock water development, prescribed grazing, and riparian buffers.
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
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 Austin County
Austin County shares borders with Colorado County, Texas, Fayette County, Texas, Fort Bend County, Texas, Waller County, Texas, Washington County, Texas, and Wharton 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 Austin 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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