Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Polk County is located in the East Texas / Piney Woods region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of East Texas / Piney Woods agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Texas / Piney Woods |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Horses, Poultry, Vegetables |
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 Polk County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
506 Pan American Dr, Livingston, TX 77351
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 Polk County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Polk County greening up around April and peaking in May. The county carries about 24,554 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Polk County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Polk County at an average farm size of 140 acres, 31% small operations, 24% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 251 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Polk County
Given the operation mix in Polk 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 Polk County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Polk County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Forest management, pasture improvement, and water quality.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Forest stand improvement, prescribed burning, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, 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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Polk County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Angelina County, Texas, Hardin County, Texas, Liberty County, Texas, San Jacinto County, Texas, Trinity County, Texas, and Tyler County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Polk 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.