Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Refugio County is located in the Coastal Bend region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of Coastal Bend agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | Coastal Bend |
| Top Commodities | Cotton, Cattle & calves, Grain sorghum, Corn, Vegetables, Berries |
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 Refugio County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
603 E Empresario St, Refugio, TX 78377
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 Refugio County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Refugio County greening up around March and peaking in September. The county carries about 285,959 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 Refugio County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Refugio County at an average farm size of 1,172 acres, 29% small operations, and 22% of producers aged 65 or older. 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 Refugio County
Refugio County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cotton, grain, and cattle. 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 Refugio County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Refugio County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Coastal prairie management, brush management, water quality, and wildlife habitat.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed burning, prescribed grazing, wildlife habitat management, and cover crops.
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 Refugio County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Aransas County, Texas, Bee County, Texas, Calhoun County, Texas, Goliad County, Texas, San Patricio County, Texas, and Victoria County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Refugio 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.