Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Jim Wells County
Rainfall averages 26.1 inches per year. January lows average around 46°F while July highs reach about 97°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 960 farms in Jim Wells County, operating across 398,796 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 415 acres. Top commodities include cattle, sorghum, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Texas / Coastal Bend |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Grain sorghum, Corn, Cotton, Poultry, Horses |
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 Jim Wells County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
711 East Main Street, Alice, TX 78332
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 Jim Wells County
The forage year in Jim Wells County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in August (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 219,873 acres of pastureland and 8,375 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Jim Wells County
About 26% of Jim Wells County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 31% of farms are small and 9% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 415 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Jim Wells County
Jim Wells County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and sorghum. 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 Jim Wells County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Jim Wells County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Brush management, rangeland health, cropland soil health, and wildlife habitat.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed burning, cross-fencing, cover crops, and livestock water development.
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 Jim Wells County: Brooks County, Texas, Duval County, Texas, Kleberg County, Texas, Live Oak County, Texas, Nueces County, Texas, and San Patricio County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Jim Wells 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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