Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Kaufman County is located in the Blackland Prairie / North Texas region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of Blackland Prairie / North Texas agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | Blackland Prairie / North Texas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Horses, Deer, Wheat, Poultry, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Kaufman County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
8628 Fm 741 Forney, Forney, TX 75126
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 Kaufman County
Kaufman County reported 53,647 head of cattle across roughly 155,771 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows March green-up and a April 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 Kaufman County.
Farm Structure in Kaufman County
Kaufman County reports about 679 acres under irrigation. Farms average 113 acres, with about 53% classed as small operations. Around 24% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Kaufman County
Kaufman County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, equine, and equine. 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 Kaufman County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Kaufman County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Soil health on Blackland Prairie, water quality, and urban-edge agriculture.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Cover crops, nutrient management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, and heavy use area protection.
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 Kaufman County
Kaufman County shares borders with Dallas County, Texas, Ellis County, Texas, Henderson County, Texas, Hunt County, Texas, Rockwall County, Texas, and Van Zandt 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 Kaufman 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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