Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Callahan County
Callahan County lies in the Rolling Limestone Prairie (MLRA 78A) region. Elevation averages about 1,829 feet.
Callahan County averages 28.6 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 64.5°F.
Callahan County's agricultural base centers on cattle, equine, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 1,050 farms working 468,449 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 899 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central Texas / Cross Timbers |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Horses, Sheep, Wheat, Goats, Poultry |
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 Callahan County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
141 W 4th St, Baird, TX 79504
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 Callahan County
Callahan County reported 899 head of cattle across roughly 343,412 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 Callahan County.
Farm Structure in Callahan County
Callahan County reports about 69 acres under irrigation. Farms average 446 acres, with about 21% classed as small operations. Around 29% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Callahan County
Callahan 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 Callahan County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Callahan County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland improvement, brush management, soil health, and livestock water development.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, cover crops, livestock water development, and prescribed burning.
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 Callahan County
Callahan County shares borders with Brown County, Texas, Coleman County, Texas, Eastland County, Texas, Jones County, Texas, Shackelford County, Texas, and Taylor 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 Callahan 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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