Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Donley County
Donley County lies in the Central Rolling Red Plains, Western Part (MLRA 78B) region. Elevation averages about 2,694 feet.
Donley County averages 22.0 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 303 days. Annual mean temperature is 60.1°F.
Donley County's agricultural base centers on cattle, cotton, and corn. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 333 farms working 585,161 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 13,287 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Rolling Plains / Panhandle edge |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Cotton, Corn, Grain sorghum, Wheat, Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). LFP-eligible for 27+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Donley County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
321 S Sully St, Clarendon, TX 79226
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 Donley County
Donley County reported 13,287 head of cattle across roughly 499,080 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows July green-up and a August 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 Donley County.
Farm Structure in Donley County
Irrigation covers about 3% of farmland in Donley County, roughly 16,711 acres. Farms average 1,757 acres, with about 6% classed as small operations. Around 23% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Donley County
Given the operation mix in Donley 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 Donley County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Donley County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland health, brush management, cropland soil health, and playa lake conservation.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed grazing, cover crops, playa lake restoration, and livestock water development.
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 Donley County
Donley County shares borders with Armstrong County, Texas, Briscoe County, Texas, Carson County, Texas, Collingsworth County, Texas, Gray County, Texas, and Hall 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 Donley 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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