Carson County, Texas: USDA programs and conservation funding

367
Farms & Ranches
583K
Acres in Agriculture
1,587
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$9.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Cotton, Sorghum, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Carson County, Texas has 367 farms working 582,593 agricultural acres (average 1,587 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $9.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Cotton. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Carson County

Elevation across Carson County averages about 3,451 feet. The county falls within the Southern High Plains, Southern Part (MLRA 77C) land resource region.

The growing season in Carson County spans roughly 275 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 20.6 inches per year. January lows average around 24°F while July highs reach about 93°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 367 farms in Carson County, operating across 582,593 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 1,587 acres. Top commodities include corn, cotton, and sorghum.


Quick Facts

RegionTexas Panhandle
Top CommoditiesCorn, Cotton, Grain sorghum, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Soybeans

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Carson County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

221 Euclid, Panhandle, TX 79068

(806) 537-3504

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.


Programs for Carson County Operations

Based on the agricultural profile of Carson County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:

Irrigation efficiency (Ogallala Aquifer), soil health on cropland, wind erosion control, and feedlot waste management.

Commonly funded practices in this area: Irrigation water management, cover crops, residue management, nutrient management, windbreak establishment, and waste 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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Carson County: Armstrong County, Texas, Donley County, Texas, Gray County, Texas, Hutchinson County, Texas, Moore County, Texas, and Potter County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Carson County

  1. Run the eligibility screener to see which programs fit your operation: Free Screener
  2. Find your local USDA Service Center and call to schedule a meeting: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the full Texas guide for statewide program details, deadlines, and office contacts: Texas Farm Programs Guide

Built by ranchers who’ve been through it. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.30
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.56
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Carson County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.