Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Brooks County
Elevation across Brooks County averages about 171 feet. The county falls within the Sandsheet Prairie (MLRA 83E) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 24.3 inches per year. January lows average around 47°F while July highs reach about 98°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 317 farms in Brooks County, operating across 372,375 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 1,175 acres. Top commodities include cattle, goats, and goats.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Texas / Brush Country |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Goats, Horses, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Brooks County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
123 County Road 205, Falfurrias, TX 78355
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 Brooks County
The forage year in Brooks County runs from green-up in May to peak growth in May (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 333,912 acres of pastureland and 13,368 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Brooks County
About 23% of Brooks County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 26% of farms are small and 6% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 1,175 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Brooks County
Brooks County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, 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; 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 Brooks County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Brooks County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Brush management (mesquite, huisache, blackbrush), wildlife habitat (quail, deer), and livestock water development.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed burning, 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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Brooks County: Duval County, Texas, Hidalgo County, Texas, Jim Hogg County, Texas, Jim Wells County, Texas, Kenedy County, Texas, and Kleberg County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Brooks 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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