Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Erath County
Erath County lies in the West Cross Timbers (MLRA 84B) region. Elevation averages about 1,270 feet.
Erath County averages 33.9 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 65.0°F.
Erath County's agricultural base centers on milk, cattle, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 2,400 farms working 675,439 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 168,405 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Texas / Cross Timbers |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Cattle & calves, Horses, Corn, Goats, Wheat |
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 Erath County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
2561 NW Loop, Stephenville, TX 76401
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 Erath County
Erath County reported 168,405 head of cattle across roughly 442,771 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 Erath County.
Farm Structure in Erath County
Irrigation covers about 2% of farmland in Erath County, roughly 15,397 acres. Farms average 281 acres, with about 30% classed as small operations. Around 24% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Erath County
Given the operation mix in Erath County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; 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 Erath County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Erath County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Dairy waste management (major dairy county), pasture improvement, water quality in the Bosque River watershed.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Waste management systems, nutrient management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, and riparian buffers.
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 Erath County
Erath County shares borders with Bosque County, Texas, Comanche County, Texas, Eastland County, Texas, Hamilton County, Texas, Hood County, Texas, and Palo Pinto 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 Erath 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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