Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Kent County
The county falls within the Central Rolling Red Plains, Western Part (MLRA 78B) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 21.8 inches per year. January lows average around 30°F while July highs reach about 96°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 137 farms in Kent County, operating across 589,592 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 4,304 acres. Top commodities include cattle, equine, and cotton.
Quick Facts
| Region | Rolling Plains |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Horses, Cotton |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3).
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 Kent County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
Kent County Courthouse, Highway 70 & Main, Jayton, TX 79528
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1263 N Main, Jayton, TX 79528
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 Kent County
The forage year in Kent County runs from green-up in May to peak growth in June (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 518,217 acres of pastureland and 4,905 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Kent County
About 30% of Kent County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 5% of farms are small and 27% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 4,304 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Kent County
Given the operation mix in Kent County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Kent County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Kent County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland restoration, brush management, and livestock water.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, range planting, and cross-fencing.
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 Kent County: Crosby County, Texas, Dickens County, Texas, Fisher County, Texas, Garza County, Texas, King County, Texas, and Scurry County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Kent 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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