Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Val Verde County
Rainfall averages 18.7 inches per year. January lows average around 37°F while July highs reach about 96°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 333 farms in Val Verde County, operating across 1,417,386 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 4,256 acres. Top commodities include cattle, goats, and goats.
Quick Facts
| Region | Trans-Pecos / Edwards Plateau |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Goats, Sheep, Horses |
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 Val Verde County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
302 E 17th St, Del Rio, TX 78840
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
510 S Divide St, Eldorado, TX 76936
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 Val Verde County
The forage year in Val Verde County runs from green-up in September to peak growth in November (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 1,404,446 acres of pastureland and 1,973 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Val Verde County
About 24% of Val Verde County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 31% of farms are small and 24% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 4,256 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Val Verde County
With cattle and goats in the mix in Val Verde County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations), 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 Val Verde County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Val Verde County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Desert and semi-arid rangeland, brush management, livestock water, and wildlife habitat.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed burning, livestock water development, prescribed grazing, and wildlife habitat management.
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 Val Verde County: Crockett County, Texas, Edwards County, Texas, Kinney County, Texas, Sutton County, Texas, and Terrell County, Texas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Val Verde 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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