Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Pecos County
Rainfall averages 13.9 inches per year. January lows average around 33°F while July highs reach about 95°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 249 farms in Pecos County, operating across 3,013,934 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 12,104 acres. Top commodities include cattle, cotton, and sheep.
Quick Facts
| Region | Trans-Pecos / West Texas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Cotton, Sheep, Goats, Horses |
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 Pecos County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1805 State Hwy. 118 North, Alpine, TX 79830
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
2306 W Dickinson Blvd Ste 1, Fort Stockton, TX 79735
This county also has 2 additional NRCS offices. View all offices
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 Pecos County
The forage year in Pecos County runs from green-up in July to peak growth in August (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 2,907,281 acres of pastureland and 1,371 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Pecos County
About 23% of Pecos County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 6% of farms are small and 39% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 12,104 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Pecos County
Pecos County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, cotton, 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 Pecos County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Pecos County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Desert rangeland, irrigation efficiency (Pecos River), and livestock water.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Livestock water development, irrigation water management, brush management, prescribed grazing, and range planting.
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 Pecos County: Brewster County, Texas, Crane County, Texas, Crockett County, Texas, Jeff Davis County, Texas, Reeves County, Texas, and Terrell County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Pecos 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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