Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Hays County
Rainfall averages 35.2 inches per year. January lows average around 39°F while July highs reach about 95°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 940 farms in Hays County, operating across 142,428 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 152 acres. Top commodities include mushrooms, cattle, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Hill Country / Central Texas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Horses, Vegetables, Goats, Poultry, Honey |
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 Hays County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
326 Cheatham Street Suite 102, San Marcos, TX 78666
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
111 East Mlk Jr Industrial Blvd, Lockhart, TX 78644
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 Hays County
The forage year in Hays County runs from green-up in June to peak growth in November (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 101,286 acres of pastureland and 587 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Hays County
About 23% of Hays County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 44% of farms are small and 5% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 152 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Hays County
Given the operation mix in Hays 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 brush management for rangeland. 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 Hays County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Hays County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Edwards Aquifer recharge protection, cedar management, urban-edge agriculture, and water quality.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management (cedar), prescribed burning, cross-fencing, water quality improvement, and prescribed grazing.
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 Hays County: Blanco County, Texas, Caldwell County, Texas, Comal County, Texas, Guadalupe County, Texas, and Travis County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Hays 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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