Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Leon County
The county falls within the Texas Claypan Area, Southern Part (MLRA 87A) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 43.3 inches per year. January lows average around 37°F while July highs reach about 94°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 1,597 farms in Leon County, operating across 423,117 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 265 acres. Top commodities include cattle, deer, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Central Texas |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Floriculture, Deer, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Leon County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1028 E Frontage Rd, Centerville, TX 75833
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1030 S 4th St, Crockett, TX 75835
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 Leon County
The forage year in Leon County runs from green-up in March to peak growth in April (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 244,815 acres of pastureland and 84,959 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Leon County
About 29% of Leon County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 24% of farms are small and 7% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 265 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Leon County
With cattle and equine in the mix in Leon 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 brush management (rangeland). 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 Leon County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Leon County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Pasture improvement, forest health, water quality, and livestock infrastructure.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, forest stand improvement, livestock water development, and prescribed burning.
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 Leon County: Anderson County, Texas, Brazos County, Texas, Freestone County, Texas, Houston County, Texas, Limestone County, Texas, and Madison County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Leon 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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