Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Brown County
Brown County is part of the Texas North-Central Prairies land resource region (MLRA 80B). The county's mean elevation is about 1,387 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Brown County sees 29.4 in of rain, a 65.4°F mean annual temperature.
Brown County carries 34,884 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 342,498 acres. 1,680 farms operate in the county, averaging 283 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Texas / Cross Timbers |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Horses, Sheep, Goats, Cotton, Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Brown County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
2608 Highway 377 S, Brownwood, TX 76801
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 Brown County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Brown County greening up around April and peaking in May. The county carries about 342,498 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Brown County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Brown County at an average farm size of 283 acres, 27% small operations, 25% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 1,649 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Brown County
Brown County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, equine, and equine. 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 Brown County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Brown County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland improvement, brush management (cedar, mesquite), pecan orchard management, and livestock infrastructure.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and pecan tree 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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Brown County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Callahan County, Texas, Coleman County, Texas, Comanche County, Texas, Eastland County, Texas, McCulloch County, Texas, and Mills County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Brown 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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