Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Bowie County
Bowie County lies in the Western Coastal Plain (MLRA 133B) region. Elevation averages about 352 feet.
Bowie County averages 50.8 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 63.9°F.
Bowie County's agricultural base centers on cattle, equine, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 1,267 farms working 256,027 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 58,041 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Texas |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Horses, Deer, Corn, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Bowie County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
905 W Us Highway 82, New Boston, TX 75570
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 Bowie County
Bowie County reported 58,041 head of cattle across roughly 110,328 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a June 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 Bowie County.
Farm Structure in Bowie County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Bowie County, roughly 3,030 acres. Farms average 202 acres, with about 31% classed as small operations. Around 27% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Bowie County
With cattle and equine in the mix in Bowie County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Bowie County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Bowie County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Pasture improvement, water quality, poultry litter management, and forest health.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Nutrient management (poultry litter), cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and forest stand improvement.
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 Bowie County
Bowie County shares borders with Little River County, Arkansas, Miller County, Arkansas, McCurtain County, Oklahoma, Cass County, Texas, Morris County, Texas, and Red River 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 Bowie 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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