Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Hutchinson County
Temperatures in Hutchinson County range from a January mean low of 25°F to a July mean high near 94°F. Annual precipitation averages 19.8 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Hutchinson County ran 167 farms, 560,153 acres of farmland, and 17,483 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, cattle, and cotton.
Quick Facts
| Region | Texas Panhandle |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Cattle & calves, Cotton, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Horses |
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 Hutchinson County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
102 N Main, Stinnett, TX 79083
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
909 W 9th Ave, Spearman, TX 79081
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 Hutchinson County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 83% of farmland in Hutchinson County, about 463,957 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 Hutchinson County
Farms in Hutchinson County average 3,354 acres, and about 23% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 28,627 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Hutchinson County
Hutchinson 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 rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Hutchinson County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Hutchinson County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Irrigation efficiency, soil health, feedlot waste management, and wind erosion.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Irrigation water management, cover crops, waste management, residue management, and windbreak establishment.
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 Carson County, Texas, Hansford County, Texas, Moore County, Texas, Roberts County, Texas, and Sherman County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Hutchinson 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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