Goliad County, Texas: USDA programs and conservation funding

1,092
Farms & Ranches
416K
Acres in Agriculture
381
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$17.5M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Field Crops, Other, Corn, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Goliad County, Texas has 1,092 farms working 416,291 agricultural acres (average 381 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $17.5 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Field Crops, Other. Vegetation typically peaks in May, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Goliad County

Goliad County is part of the Northern Rio Grande Plain land resource region (MLRA 83A).

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Goliad County sees 34.2 in of rain, a 71.1°F mean annual temperature.

Goliad County carries 3,925 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 320,285 acres. 1,092 farms operate in the county, averaging 381 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionCoastal Bend / South Texas
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Corn, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses, Poultry, Berries

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 23+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Goliad County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

142 N Courthouse Square Rd., Goliad, TX 77963

(361) 645-2350

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

603 E Empresario St, Refugio, TX 78377

(361) 526-2531

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.


Programs for Goliad County Operations

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

Brush management, rangeland improvement, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed burning, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, and wildlife habitat management.

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 Goliad County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Bee County, Texas, DeWitt County, Texas, Karnes County, Texas, Refugio County, Texas, and Victoria County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Goliad 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 ManagementEQIP Fencing

Vegetation Baseline

0.60
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.76
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Goliad 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.