Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Morris County
Temperatures in Morris County range from a January mean low of 35°F to a July mean high near 93°F. Annual precipitation averages 48.5 inches.
Morris County ran 335 farms, 45,116 acres of farmland, and 5,149 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, honey, and goats.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Texas |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Honey, Goats |
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 Morris County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1809 W Ferguson Rd, Mount Pleasant, TX 75455
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 Morris County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 49% of farmland in Morris County, about 22,051 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 Morris County
Farms in Morris County average 135 acres, and about 25% are small operations. Roughly 29% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 15 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Morris County
With cattle and goats in the mix in Morris 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 pollinator habitat plantings (apiaries). 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 Morris County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Morris County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Pasture improvement, poultry waste management, and forest health.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Nutrient management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, forest stand improvement, 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 Bowie County, Texas, Camp County, Texas, Cass County, Texas, Marion County, Texas, Red River County, Texas, and Titus County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Morris 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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