Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Nolan County
Rainfall averages 23.1 inches per year. January lows average around 32°F while July highs reach about 95°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 443 farms in Nolan County, operating across 403,121 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 910 acres. Top commodities include cattle, cotton, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | Rolling Plains / West Central Texas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Cotton, Wheat, Goats, Horses, Hogs |
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 Nolan County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
103 W Florida St, Sweetwater, TX 79556
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 Nolan County
The forage year in Nolan County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in October (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 281,419 acres of pastureland and 5,936 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Nolan County
About 27% of Nolan County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 10% of farms are small and 20% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 910 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Nolan County
Given the operation mix in Nolan County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Nolan County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Nolan County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland health, brush management, soil health, and wind erosion.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed grazing, cover crops, windbreak establishment, and cross-fencing.
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 Nolan County: Coke County, Texas, Fisher County, Texas, Jones County, Texas, Mitchell County, Texas, Runnels County, Texas, and Scurry County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Nolan 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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