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
| Region | Coastal Bend / South Texas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Cotton, Corn, Deer, Poultry, Goats |
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 Bee County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1400 W Corpus Christi St, Beeville, TX 78102
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 Bee County
The forage year in Bee County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in May (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 315,540 acres of pastureland and 5,850 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Bee County
About 30% of Bee County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 21% of farms are small and 11% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 588 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Bee County
Bee County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, cotton, and grain. 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 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
- 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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