Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Upshur County is located in the Northeast Texas / Piney Woods region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of Northeast Texas / Piney Woods agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Texas / Piney Woods |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Dairy, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts, 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 Upshur County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1259 Hwy 271 South, Gilmer, TX 75644
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
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 Upshur County
Upshur County reported 42,175 head of cattle across roughly 74,607 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows March green-up and a June growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Upshur County.
Farm Structure in Upshur County
Upshur County reports about 391 acres under irrigation. Farms average 110 acres, with about 40% classed as small operations. Around 21% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Upshur County
Upshur County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, milk, and equine. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Upshur County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Upshur County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Pasture improvement, poultry waste management, and forest health.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Nutrient management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, forest stand improvement, 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
Counties Bordering Upshur County
Upshur County shares borders with Camp County, Texas, Gregg County, Texas, Harrison County, Texas, Marion County, Texas, Morris County, Texas, and Smith 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 Upshur 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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