Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Duval County
Duval County is part of the Central Rio Grande Plain land resource region (MLRA 83C). The county's mean elevation is about 490 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Duval County sees 24.0 in of rain, a 72.8°F mean annual temperature.
Duval County carries 26,034 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 974,218 acres. 1,044 farms operate in the county, averaging 1,069 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Texas / Brush Country |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Deer, Horses, Goats, Poultry, Vegetables |
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 Duval County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
141 W Main, Benavides, TX 78341
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 Duval County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Duval County greening up around April and peaking in May. The county carries about 974,218 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Duval County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Duval County at an average farm size of 1,069 acres, 6% small operations, 26% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 1,705 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Duval County
With cattle and equine in the mix in Duval County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Duval County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Duval County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Brush management, wildlife habitat (quail, deer), and livestock water development.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed burning, livestock water development, wildlife habitat management, and prescribed grazing.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Duval County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Brooks County, Texas, Jim Hogg County, Texas, Jim Wells County, Texas, La Salle County, Texas, Live Oak County, Texas, and McMullen County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Duval 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
Built by ranchers who’ve been through it. Every guide on this site is free.