Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Upton County
Rainfall averages 14.7 inches per year. January lows average around 33°F while July highs reach about 95°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 101 farms in Upton County, operating across 518,980 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 5,138 acres. Top commodities include cotton, goats, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Permian Basin / West Texas |
| Top Commodities | Cotton, Goats, Cattle & calves, Sheep, Horses |
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 Upton County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
606 E 2nd St, Big Lake, TX 76932
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.
Farm Structure in Upton County
About 30% of Upton County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 6% of farms are small and 33% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 5,138 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Upton County
With cattle and goats in the mix in Upton 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 brush management (rangeland). 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 Upton County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Upton County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Rangeland restoration and livestock water.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, livestock water development, prescribed grazing, and range planting.
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 Upton County: Crane County, Texas, Crockett County, Texas, Ector County, Texas, Glasscock County, Texas, Midland County, Texas, and Reagan County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Upton 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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