Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Grimes County
Temperatures in Grimes County range from a January mean low of 40°F to a July mean high near 95°F. Annual precipitation averages 45.2 inches.
Grimes County ran 1,668 farms, 502,510 acres of farmland, and 103,903 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, deer, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Brazos Valley / East Texas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Deer, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts, Goats, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Grimes County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
3833 S Tx Ave, Bryan, TX 77802
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Grimes County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 76% of farmland in Grimes County, about 380,372 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around March and forage peaks in May. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Grimes County
Farms in Grimes County average 301 acres, and about 37% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 5,859 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Grimes County
With cattle and equine in the mix in Grimes 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 Grimes County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Grimes County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Pasture improvement, forest health, water quality, and livestock infrastructure.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, forest stand improvement, livestock water development, and prescribed burning.
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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Brazos County, Texas, Madison County, Texas, Montgomery County, Texas, Walker County, Texas, Waller County, Texas, and Washington County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Grimes 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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