Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Panola County
Temperatures in Panola County range from a January mean low of 37°F to a July mean high near 94°F. Annual precipitation averages 51.6 inches.
Panola County ran 744 farms, 142,072 acres of farmland, and 26,959 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, equine, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Texas / Piney Woods |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Horses, Vegetables, Deer, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Panola County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
3424 SW Loop 436, Carthage, TX 75633
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 Panola County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 47% of farmland in Panola County, about 66,160 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in May. 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 Panola County
Farms in Panola County average 191 acres, and about 26% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 994 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Panola County
Panola County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, equine, and equine. 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 Panola County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Panola County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Forest management, poultry waste management, pasture improvement, and water quality.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Forest stand improvement, nutrient management, prescribed burning, cross-fencing, and prescribed grazing.
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 Caddo Parish, Louisiana, De Soto Parish, Louisiana, Harrison County, Texas, Rusk County, Texas, and Shelby County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Panola 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
Built by ranchers who’ve been through it. Every guide on this site is free.