Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Presidio County
Presidio County is part of the Trans-Pecos Mountains, Plateaus, and Basins land resource region (MLRA 42A).
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Presidio County sees 12.9 in of rain, a 65.3°F mean annual temperature.
Presidio County carries 1,173 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 2,356,250 acres. 147 farms operate in the county, averaging 16,076 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Trans-Pecos / Big Bend |
| Top Commodities | Goats, Horses, Poultry |
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 Presidio County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1205 E Oak St., Marfa, TX 79843
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1805 State Hwy. 118 North, Alpine, TX 79830
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 Presidio County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Presidio County greening up around August and peaking in August. The county carries about 2,356,250 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 Presidio County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Presidio County at an average farm size of 16,076 acres, 7% small operations, 34% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 301 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 Presidio County
Given the operation mix in Presidio 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 Presidio County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Presidio County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Desert rangeland, livestock water in extreme arid conditions, and irrigation along the Rio Grande.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Presidio County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Brewster County, Texas, Hudspeth County, Texas, and Jeff Davis County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Presidio 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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