Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Waller County is located in the Gulf Coast Prairie / Southeast Texas region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of Gulf Coast Prairie / Southeast Texas agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | Gulf Coast Prairie / Southeast Texas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Rice, Vegetables, Horses, Dairy, Corn |
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 Waller County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
519 9th St, Hempstead, TX 77445
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
10808 Huffmeister Rd, Houston, TX 77065
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 Waller County
Waller County reported 38,343 head of cattle across roughly 120,597 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows March green-up and a May 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 Waller County.
Farm Structure in Waller County
Irrigation covers about 6% of farmland in Waller County, roughly 12,296 acres. Farms average 137 acres, with about 56% classed as small operations. Around 29% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Waller County
With cattle and equine in the mix in Waller 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 Waller County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Waller County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Pasture improvement, water quality, and flood mitigation.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, water management, and nutrient 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
Counties Bordering Waller County
Waller County shares borders with Austin County, Texas, Fort Bend County, Texas, Grimes County, Texas, Harris County, Texas, Montgomery County, Texas, and Washington 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 Waller 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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