Washington County, Texas: USDA programs and conservation funding

2,137
Farms & Ranches
375K
Acres in Agriculture
175
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$24.3M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Hogs, Equine, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Washington County, Texas has 2,137 farms working 374,608 agricultural acres (average 175 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $24.3 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Hogs. Vegetation typically peaks in May, defining the primary growing season.

← Texas Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

Washington County is located in the Brazos Valley / Gulf Coast Prairie region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of Brazos Valley / Gulf Coast Prairie agriculture.


Quick Facts

RegionBrazos Valley / Gulf Coast Prairie
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Hogs, Horses, Deer, Fruit & tree nuts, Goats

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 23+ 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 Washington County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

2305 Becker Dr Ste C, Brenham, TX 77833

(979) 830-7123

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

1351 W Main St., Bellville, TX 77418

(979) 865-3139

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 Washington County Operations

Based on the agricultural profile of Washington County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:

Pasture improvement, water quality in the Brazos watershed, and soil health.

Commonly funded practices in this area: Cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, cover crops, nutrient management, and riparian buffers.

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 Washington County

Washington County shares borders with Austin County, Texas, Brazos County, Texas, Burleson County, Texas, Fayette County, Texas, Grimes County, Texas, and Lee 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 Washington County

  1. Run the eligibility screener to see which programs fit your operation: Free Screener
  2. Find your local USDA Service Center and call to schedule a meeting: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the full Texas guide for statewide program details, deadlines, and office contacts: Texas Farm Programs Guide

Built by ranchers who’ve been through it. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.69
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.70
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Washington County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.