Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Houston County is located in the East Texas region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of East Texas agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Texas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Poultry, Vegetables, Cotton, Horses, Hogs |
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 Houston County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1030 S 4th St, Crockett, TX 75835
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Houston County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Houston County greening up around March and peaking in April. The county carries about 274,163 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 Houston County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Houston County at an average farm size of 343 acres, 18% small operations, 29% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 1,551 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 Houston County
Given the operation mix in Houston 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 Houston County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Houston County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Forest management, pasture improvement, water quality, and poultry litter management.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Forest stand improvement, prescribed burning, nutrient management, cross-fencing, 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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Houston County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Anderson County, Texas, Angelina County, Texas, Cherokee County, Texas, Leon County, Texas, Madison County, Texas, and Trinity County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Houston 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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