Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Menard County is located in the Edwards Plateau region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of Edwards Plateau agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | Edwards Plateau |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Goats, Sheep, Deer, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Menard County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
106 Bevans St, Menard, TX 76859
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1100 E Broadway St, Eden, TX 76837
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 Menard County
Menard County reported 8,361 head of cattle across roughly 538,073 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows May green-up and a June 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 Menard County.
Farm Structure in Menard County
Menard County reports about 1,877 acres under irrigation. Farms average 1,535 acres, with about 8% classed as small operations. Around 30% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Menard County
Menard County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, goats, and sheep. 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 Menard County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Menard County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland health, brush management, predator management, and irrigation from springs.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed burning, livestock water development, prescribed grazing, and wildlife habitat management.
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 Menard County
Menard County shares borders with Concho County, Texas, Kimble County, Texas, McCulloch County, Texas, Mason County, Texas, Schleicher County, Texas, and Sutton 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 Menard 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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