Hood County, Texas: USDA programs and conservation funding

1,109
Farms & Ranches
125K
Acres in Agriculture
113
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$7.9M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Sod, Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Hood County, Texas has 1,109 farms working 124,769 agricultural acres (average 113 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $7.9 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Sod, Cattle, Field Crops, Other. Vegetation typically peaks in May, defining the primary growing season.

Programs likely to fit Hood County operations

With 1,109 farms averaging 113 acres, a sod and cattle commodity base, vegetation peaking near May at 0.47 NDVI, these are the federal programs most worth a closer look. Every program is competitive — confirm fit with your local USDA office.

← Texas Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

Hood County is located in the North Central Texas / Cross Timbers region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of North Central Texas / Cross Timbers agriculture.

Quick Facts
RegionNorth Central Texas / Cross Timbers
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts, Goats, Sheep, Poultry

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).

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 Hood County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

1321 Waters Edge Dr, Granbury, TX 76048

(817) 573-1666

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

604 N Main St, Weatherford, TX 76086

(817) 594-4672

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 Hood County

Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Hood County greening up around April and peaking in May. The county carries about 69,233 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.

Farm Structure in Hood County

The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Hood County at an average farm size of 113 acres, 53% small operations, 26% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 3,451 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.

What Tends to Fit in Hood County

Hood County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were sod, cattle, and equine. 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 Hood County Operations

Based on the agricultural profile of Hood County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:

Pasture improvement, water quality (Lake Granbury watershed), and brush management.

Commonly funded practices in this area: Cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, brush management, livestock water development, and riparian buffers.

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

Nearby Counties

Operators in Hood County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Erath County, Texas, Johnson County, Texas, Palo Pinto County, Texas, Parker County, Texas, and Somervell County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Hood County

  1. Run the eligibility screener to see which programs fit your operation: Free Screener
  2. Find your local USDA Service Center and call to schedule a meeting: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the full Texas guide for statewide program details, deadlines, and office contacts: Texas Farm Programs Guide

Built by ranchers who’ve been through it. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentEQIP Brush Management

Vegetation Baseline

0.43
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.47
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Hood County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.