Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Harris County
Rainfall averages 53.5 inches per year. January lows average around 44°F while July highs reach about 93°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 1,531 farms in Harris County, operating across 193,556 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 126 acres. Top commodities include sod, cattle, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Upper Gulf Coast |
| Top Commodities | Floriculture, Cattle & calves, Horses, Vegetables, Poultry, Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Harris County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
10808 Huffmeister Rd, Houston, TX 77065
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 Harris County
The forage year in Harris County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in April (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 95,283 acres of pastureland and 17,995 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Harris County
About 26% of Harris County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 67% of farms are small and 3% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 126 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Harris County
Given the operation mix in Harris 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 high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage for specialty-crop acres. 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 Harris County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Harris County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Urban-edge agriculture, flood mitigation, water quality, and small farm sustainability.
Commonly funded practices in this area: High tunnel systems, nutrient management, water management, and cover crops.
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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Harris County: Brazoria County, Texas, Chambers County, Texas, Fort Bend County, Texas, Galveston County, Texas, Liberty County, Texas, and Montgomery County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Harris 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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