Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Swisher County
Swisher County averages 20.0 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 58.7°F.
Swisher County's agricultural base centers on cattle, cotton, and corn. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 441 farms working 542,277 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 66,137 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Plains / Panhandle |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Cotton, Corn, Wheat, Horses, Grain sorghum |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 6+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Swisher County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
215 NW 2nd St, Tulia, TX 79088
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 Swisher County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Swisher County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Irrigation efficiency (Ogallala), soil health, wind erosion, and playa lake conservation.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Irrigation water management, cover crops, residue management, playa lake restoration, and windbreak establishment.
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
Counties Bordering Swisher County
Swisher County shares borders with Armstrong County, Texas, Briscoe County, Texas, Castro County, Texas, Floyd County, Texas, Hale County, Texas, and Randall County, Texas. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Swisher 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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