Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Smith County is located in the East Texas region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of East Texas agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Texas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Poultry, Floriculture, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses, 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 Smith County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
4209 Republic Dr, Tyler, TX 75701
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 Smith County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Smith County greening up around April and peaking in June. The county carries about 111,013 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 Smith County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Smith County at an average farm size of 101 acres, 47% small operations, 23% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 2,778 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 Smith County
With cattle and equine in the mix in Smith County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage (specialty-crop acres). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Smith County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Smith County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Pasture improvement, water quality, and small farm sustainability.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and heavy use area protection.
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 Smith County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Cherokee County, Texas, Gregg County, Texas, Henderson County, Texas, Rusk County, Texas, Upshur County, Texas, and Van Zandt County, Texas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Smith 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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