Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Denton County
Denton County lies in the Grand Prairie (MLRA 85A) region. Elevation averages about 653 feet.
Denton County averages 38.4 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 65.2°F.
Denton County's agricultural base centers on equine, equine, and wheat. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 2,936 farms working 272,184 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 27,503 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Texas / Cross Timbers |
| Top Commodities | Horses, Wheat, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Grain sorghum, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Denton County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
525 S Loop 288 Ste C, Denton, TX 76205
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 Denton County
Denton County reported 27,503 head of cattle across roughly 126,697 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a April 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 Denton County.
Farm Structure in Denton County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Denton County, roughly 2,043 acres. Farms average 93 acres, with about 70% classed as small operations. Around 22% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Denton County
Given the operation mix in Denton County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations, and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. 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 Denton County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Denton County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Urban-edge agriculture, water quality, pasture improvement, and soil health.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, cover crops, nutrient management, and heavy use area protection.
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 Denton County
Denton County shares borders with Collin County, Texas, Cooke County, Texas, Dallas County, Texas, Grayson County, Texas, Tarrant County, Texas, and Wise 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 Denton 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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