Bee County, Texas: USDA programs and conservation funding

743
Farms & Ranches
437K
Acres in Agriculture
588
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$14.5M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Cotton, Grain, Corn, Deer
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Bee County, Texas has 743 farms working 437,238 agricultural acres (average 588 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $14.5 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Cotton, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in May, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Bee County

Elevation across Bee County averages about 225 feet. The county falls within the Northern Rio Grande Plain (MLRA 83A) land resource region.

Rainfall averages 31.0 inches per year. January lows average around 45°F while July highs reach about 95°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 743 farms in Bee County, operating across 437,238 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 588 acres. Top commodities include cattle, cotton, and corn.


Quick Facts

RegionCoastal Bend / South Texas
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Cotton, Corn, Deer, Poultry, Goats

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 52+ 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 Bee County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

1400 W Corpus Christi St, Beeville, TX 78102

(361) 358-3343

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 Bee County Operations

Based on the agricultural profile of Bee County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:

Brush management, rangeland health, cropland soil health, and wildlife habitat.

Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed burning, cross-fencing, cover crops on cropland, livestock water development, and wildlife habitat management.

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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Bee County: Goliad County, Texas, Karnes County, Texas, Live Oak County, Texas, Refugio County, Texas, and San Patricio County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Bee County

  1. Run the eligibility screener to see which programs fit your operation: Free Screener
  2. Find your local USDA Service Center and call to schedule a meeting: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the full Texas guide for statewide program details, deadlines, and office contacts: Texas Farm Programs Guide

Built by ranchers who’ve been through it. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingEQIP Water DevelopmentEQIP Brush ManagementCSPCRPEQIP Fencing

Vegetation Baseline

0.55
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.59
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Bee County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.