Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Calhoun County
Calhoun County sits within the Gulf Coast Saline Prairies (MLRA 150B) region. Elevation averages about 11 feet.
Temperatures in Calhoun County range from a January mean low of 46°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 39.4 inches.
Calhoun County ran 257 farms, 129,971 acres of farmland, and 1,599 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and cotton.
Quick Facts
| Region | Mid-Coast |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Cotton, 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 Calhoun County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
186 County Road 101, Room 7, Port Lavaca, TX 77979
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 Calhoun County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 72% of farmland in Calhoun County, about 93,703 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 Calhoun County
Farms in Calhoun County average 506 acres, and about 35% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up.
What Tends to Fit in Calhoun County
Given the operation mix in Calhoun County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Calhoun County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Calhoun County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Coastal prairie management, water quality, cropland soil health, and wildlife habitat.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Water management, nutrient management, prescribed grazing, wildlife habitat management, and cover crops.
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 Aransas County, Texas, Jackson County, Texas, Matagorda County, Texas, Refugio County, Texas, and Victoria County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Calhoun 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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