Ellis County, Texas: USDA programs and conservation funding

2,563
Farms & Ranches
377K
Acres in Agriculture
147
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$18.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Cattle, Corn, Wheat, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Ellis County, Texas has 2,563 farms working 377,200 agricultural acres (average 147 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $18.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Cattle, Corn. Vegetation typically peaks in Apr, defining the primary growing season.

Programs likely to fit Ellis County operations

With 2,563 farms averaging 147 acres, a grain and cattle commodity base, vegetation peaking near Apr at 0.73 NDVI, these are the federal programs most worth a closer look. Every program is competitive — confirm fit with your local USDA office.

← Texas Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Ellis County

Ellis County is part of the Texas Blackland Prairie, Northern Part land resource region (MLRA 86A). The county's mean elevation is about 495 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Ellis County sees 40.1 in of rain, a 66.3°F mean annual temperature.

Ellis County carries 45,811 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 147,940 acres. 2,563 farms operate in the county, averaging 147 acres each.

Quick Facts
RegionBlackland Prairie / North Texas
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Corn, Wheat, Cotton, Grain sorghum, Horses

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 Ellis County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

1822 Fm 66, Waxahachie, TX 75167

(972) 937-2660

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 Ellis County

Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Ellis County greening up around April and peaking in April. The county carries about 147,940 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 Ellis County

The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Ellis County at an average farm size of 147 acres, 49% small operations, 24% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 3,511 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 Ellis County

Given the operation mix in Ellis 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 Ellis County Operations

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

Soil health on Blackland Prairie, water quality, and pasture improvement.

Commonly funded practices in this area: Cover crops, nutrient management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, 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

Nearby Counties

Operators in Ellis County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Dallas County, Texas, Henderson County, Texas, Hill County, Texas, Johnson County, Texas, Kaufman County, Texas, and Navarro County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Ellis 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 Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentEQIP Brush ManagementCRPEQIP Fencing

Vegetation Baseline

0.64
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.73
Peak season (Apr)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Ellis 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.