Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Hemphill County
Temperatures in Hemphill County range from a January mean low of 24°F to a July mean high near 94°F. Annual precipitation averages 23.3 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Hemphill County ran 213 farms, 579,694 acres of farmland, and 11,622 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, hogs, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Eastern Panhandle |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Hogs, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). LFP-eligible for 24+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Hemphill County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
814 S 2nd St, Canadian, TX 79014
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 Hemphill County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 94% of farmland in Hemphill County, about 547,180 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in June. 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 Hemphill County
Farms in Hemphill County average 2,722 acres, and about 5% are small operations. Roughly 33% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 3,398 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Hemphill County
Given the operation mix in Hemphill 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 waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. 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 Hemphill County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Hemphill County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland health, Canadian River breaks management, and soil health.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Prescribed grazing, brush management, cross-fencing, cover crops, and livestock water development.
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 Ellis County, Oklahoma, Roger Mills County, Oklahoma, Gray County, Texas, Lipscomb County, Texas, Roberts County, Texas, and Wheeler County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Hemphill 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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