Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Irion County is located in the Edwards Plateau / West Central Texas region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of Edwards Plateau / West Central Texas agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | Edwards Plateau / West Central Texas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Goats, Sheep, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Irion County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
606 E 2nd St, Big Lake, TX 76932
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 Irion County
Irion County reported 2,931 head of cattle across roughly 662,936 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows May green-up and a May 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 Irion County.
Farm Structure in Irion County
Irion County reports about 1,037 acres under irrigation. Farms average 4,201 acres, with about 14% classed as small operations. Around 22% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Irion County
With cattle and goats in the mix in Irion County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Irion County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Irion County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland health, brush management, and livestock water.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed burning, livestock water development, prescribed grazing, and wildlife habitat 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 Irion County
Irion County shares borders with Crockett County, Texas, Reagan County, Texas, Schleicher County, Texas, and Tom Green 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 Irion 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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