Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Jefferson County
Rainfall averages 60.1 inches per year. January lows average around 44°F while July highs reach about 91°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 612 farms in Jefferson County, operating across 347,504 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 568 acres. Top commodities include cattle, rice, and honey.
Quick Facts
| Region | Upper Gulf Coast / Southeast Texas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Rice, Honey, Horses, Floriculture, Poultry |
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 Jefferson County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
8330 College St, Beaumont, TX 77707
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 Jefferson County
The forage year in Jefferson County runs from green-up in June to peak growth in August (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 216,093 acres of pastureland and 33,615 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Jefferson County
About 23% of Jefferson County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 49% of farms are small and 10% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 568 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Jefferson County
With cattle and grain in the mix in Jefferson 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 pollinator habitat plantings (apiaries). 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 Jefferson County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Jefferson County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rice field water management, hurricane recovery, coastal prairie, and water quality.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Water management on rice, prescribed grazing, wildlife habitat management, 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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Jefferson County: Cameron Parish, Louisiana, Chambers County, Texas, Hardin County, Texas, Liberty County, Texas, and Orange County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Jefferson 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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