Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Wise County
Temperatures in Wise County range from a January mean low of 33°F to a July mean high near 96°F. Annual precipitation averages 35.3 inches.
Wise County ran 3,528 farms, 345,021 acres of farmland, and 53,273 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, deer, and foliage plants.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Texas / Cross Timbers |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Deer, Goats, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry |
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 Wise County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
407 Park West Court, Decatur, TX 76234
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 Wise County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 61% of farmland in Wise County, about 211,544 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in May. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Wise County
Farms in Wise County average 98 acres, and about 54% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,995 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Wise County
Wise County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, deer, and foliage plants. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Wise County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Wise County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Pasture improvement, dairy waste management, water quality, and brush management.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Waste management, nutrient management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, and brush 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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Cooke County, Texas, Denton County, Texas, Jack County, Texas, Montague County, Texas, Parker County, Texas, and Tarrant County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Wise 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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