Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Sterling County
Temperatures in Sterling County range from a January mean low of 32°F to a July mean high near 95°F. Annual precipitation averages 20.1 inches.
Sterling County ran 70 farms, 650,960 acres of farmland, and 3,567 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, sheep, and goats.
Quick Facts
| Region | Edwards Plateau / West Texas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Sheep, Goats, Hogs |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14
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 Sterling County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
601 4th St, Sterling City, TX 76951
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
214 E 7th, Robert Lee, TX 76945
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.
Programs for Sterling County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Sterling County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland health, brush management, and livestock water.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, 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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Coke County, Texas, Glasscock County, Texas, Howard County, Texas, Mitchell County, Texas, Reagan County, Texas, and Tom Green County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Sterling 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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