Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Lamar County
Temperatures in Lamar County range from a January mean low of 33°F to a July mean high near 94°F. Annual precipitation averages 47.7 inches.
Lamar County ran 1,865 farms, 513,465 acres of farmland, and 85,418 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Texas / Blackland Prairie |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Wheat, Soybeans, Cotton, 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 Lamar County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1400 W Wilson, Cooper, TX 75432
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
201 N Collegiate Dr Ste 500, Paris, TX 75460
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Lamar County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 50% of farmland in Lamar County, about 258,227 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in June. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Lamar County
Farms in Lamar County average 275 acres, and about 26% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 10,822 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Lamar County
Lamar County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and corn. 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 Lamar County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Lamar County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Soil health, water quality, pasture improvement, and livestock infrastructure.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Cover crops, nutrient management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, 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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Bryan County, Oklahoma, Choctaw County, Oklahoma, Delta County, Texas, Fannin County, Texas, and Red River County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Lamar 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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