Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Clay County
Clay County lies in the Central Rolling Red Prairies (MLRA 80A) region. Elevation averages about 894 feet.
Clay County averages 32.5 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 64.0°F.
Clay County's agricultural base centers on cattle, milk, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 881 farms working 680,467 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 36,369 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Texas / Rolling Plains |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Dairy, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts, Sheep, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 6+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Clay County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1616 E Wise St, Bowie, TX 76230
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
210 W Ikard St, Henrietta, TX 76365
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Clay County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Clay County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland improvement, brush management, cropland soil health, and livestock infrastructure.
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 Clay County
Clay County shares borders with Cotton County, Oklahoma, Jefferson County, Oklahoma, Archer County, Texas, Jack County, Texas, Montague County, Texas, and Wichita 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 Clay 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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