Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Stephens County
Rainfall averages 29.7 inches per year. January lows average around 32°F while July highs reach about 96°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 454 farms in Stephens County, operating across 387,474 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 853 acres. Top commodities include cattle, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central Texas / Cross Timbers |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Poultry, Goats, Wheat |
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 Stephens County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
110 S Mcamis St, Breckenridge, TX 76424
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 Stephens County
The forage year in Stephens County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in May (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 307,491 acres of pastureland and 9,699 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Stephens County
About 31% of Stephens County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 9% of farms are small and 22% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 853 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Stephens County
Given the operation mix in Stephens 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 Stephens County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Stephens County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland improvement, brush management, and livestock infrastructure.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and prescribed burning.
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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Stephens County: Eastland County, Texas, Palo Pinto County, Texas, Shackelford County, Texas, Throckmorton County, Texas, and Young County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Stephens 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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