Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Hale County
Temperatures in Hale County range from a January mean low of 26°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 19.1 inches. Expect about 303 frost-free days.
Hale County ran 779 farms, 575,527 acres of farmland, and 121,204 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, milk, and cotton.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Plains |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Dairy, Cotton, Corn, Grain sorghum, Wheat |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3).
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 Hale County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
304 S Garland St, Plainview, TX 79072
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 Hale County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 14% of farmland in Hale County, about 82,290 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June and forage peaks in August. 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 Hale County
Farms in Hale County average 739 acres, and about 10% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 125,825 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Hale County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Hale County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Hale County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Hale County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Irrigation efficiency (Ogallala Aquifer, critical), soil health, and wind erosion.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Irrigation water management (LEPA/LESA), cover crops, residue management, nutrient management, and windbreak establishment.
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 Castro County, Texas, Crosby County, Texas, Floyd County, Texas, Hockley County, Texas, Lamb County, Texas, and Lubbock County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Hale 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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