Mills County, Texas: USDA programs and conservation funding

874
Farms & Ranches
378K
Acres in Agriculture
432
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$22.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Goats, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Mills County, Texas has 874 farms working 378,004 agricultural acres (average 432 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $22.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Sheep, Goats. Vegetation typically peaks in May, defining the primary growing season.

← Texas Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

Mills County is located in the Central Texas region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of Central Texas agriculture.


Quick Facts

RegionCentral Texas
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Sheep, Goats, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry, Horses

Current Conditions

Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Mills County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

1118 4th, Goldthwaite, TX 76844

(325) 648-3118

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

1606 E Wallace St, San Saba, TX 76877

(325) 372-5638

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.


Programs for Mills County Operations

Based on the agricultural profile of Mills County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:

Rangeland improvement, brush management, and livestock infrastructure.

Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and pecan 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

Nearby Counties

Operators in Mills County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Brown County, Texas, Comanche County, Texas, Hamilton County, Texas, Lampasas County, Texas, and San Saba County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Mills County

  1. Run the eligibility screener to see which programs fit your operation: Free Screener
  2. Find your local USDA Service Center and call to schedule a meeting: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the full Texas guide for statewide program details, deadlines, and office contacts: Texas Farm Programs Guide

Built by ranchers who’ve been through it. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentEQIP Brush ManagementEQIP Fencing

Vegetation Baseline

0.51
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.64
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Mills County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.