Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Schleicher County
Temperatures in Schleicher County range from a January mean low of 33°F to a July mean high near 94°F. Annual precipitation averages 22.1 inches.
Schleicher County ran 353 farms, 836,691 acres of farmland, and 404 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, sheep, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Edwards Plateau |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Sheep, Corn, Goats, Cotton, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Schleicher County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
510 S Divide St, Eldorado, TX 76936
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 Schleicher County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 92% of farmland in Schleicher County, about 773,791 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in September. 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 Schleicher County
Farms in Schleicher County average 2,370 acres, and about 6% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 5,720 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Schleicher County
Schleicher County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, sheep, and grain. 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 Schleicher County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Schleicher County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland health, brush management, predator management, and wildlife habitat.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed burning, livestock water development, prescribed grazing, and wildlife habitat management.
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 Concho County, Texas, Crockett County, Texas, Irion County, Texas, Kimble County, Texas, Menard County, Texas, and Sutton County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Schleicher 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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