Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Hill County is located in the Central Texas / Blackland Prairie region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of Central Texas / Blackland Prairie agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Texas / Blackland Prairie |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Cotton, Poultry, Vegetables |
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 Hill County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
101 Industrial Loop, Hillsboro, TX 76645
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 Hill County
Hill County reported 49,526 head of cattle across roughly 288,318 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a April growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Hill County.
Farm Structure in Hill County
Irrigation covers about 2% of farmland in Hill County, roughly 11,024 acres. Farms average 282 acres, with about 32% classed as small operations. Around 26% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Hill County
Hill County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and cattle. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for specialty-crop acres, high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Hill County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Hill County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Soil health on Blackland Prairie, water quality in the Brazos watershed, and pasture improvement.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Cover crops, nutrient management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, and residue management.
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
Counties Bordering Hill County
Hill County shares borders with Bosque County, Texas, Ellis County, Texas, Johnson County, Texas, Limestone County, Texas, McLennan County, Texas, and Navarro County, Texas. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Hill 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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