Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Bandera County
Bandera County lies in the Edwards Plateau, Eastern Part (MLRA 81C) region. Elevation averages about 1,780 feet.
Bandera County averages 31.3 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 67.1°F.
Bandera County's agricultural base centers on cattle, goats, and goats. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 723 farms working 191,495 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 164 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Hill Country |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Goats, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses, Deer, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Bandera County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
701 Houston St, Bandera, TX 78003
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
2104 Memorial Blvd, Kerrville, TX 78028
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 Bandera County
Bandera County reported 164 head of cattle across roughly 137,268 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a October 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 Bandera County.
Farm Structure in Bandera County
Bandera County reports about 242 acres under irrigation. Farms average 265 acres, with about 30% classed as small operations. Around 30% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Bandera County
Bandera County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, goats, and goats. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing, 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 Bandera County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Bandera County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland improvement, cedar (Ashe juniper) management, wildlife habitat, and water quantity/quality in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management (cedar/juniper), prescribed burning, cross-fencing, livestock water development, wildlife habitat management, and prescribed grazing.
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 Bandera County
Bandera County shares borders with Bexar County, Texas, Kendall County, Texas, Kerr County, Texas, Medina County, Texas, Real County, Texas, and Uvalde 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 Bandera 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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