Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Burnet County
Burnet County sits within the Edwards Plateau, Eastern Part (MLRA 81C) region. Elevation averages about 1,452 feet.
Temperatures in Burnet County range from a January mean low of 37°F to a July mean high near 95°F. Annual precipitation averages 32.1 inches.
Burnet County ran 1,428 farms, 425,682 acres of farmland, and 24,057 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, goats, and goats.
Quick Facts
| Region | Hill Country |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Goats, Floriculture, Horses, Sheep |
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 Burnet County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
101 N Pierce St Ste 2, Burnet, TX 78611
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
502 South Key, Lampasas, TX 76550
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 Burnet County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 81% of farmland in Burnet County, about 343,400 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in May. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Burnet County
Farms in Burnet County average 298 acres, and about 32% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,509 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Burnet County
With cattle and goats in the mix in Burnet County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations), 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 Burnet County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Burnet County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Cedar management, rangeland health, Highland Lakes watershed protection, and wildlife habitat.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management (cedar/juniper), prescribed burning, cross-fencing, 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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Bell County, Texas, Blanco County, Texas, Lampasas County, Texas, Llano County, Texas, San Saba County, Texas, and Travis County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Burnet 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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