Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Wood County is located in the Northeast Texas / Post Oak Belt region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of Northeast Texas / Post Oak Belt agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Texas / Post Oak Belt |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Dairy, Vegetables, Floriculture, 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 Wood County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1022 E Goode St, Quitman, TX 75783
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 Wood County
Wood County reported 37,478 head of cattle across roughly 80,674 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April 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 Wood County.
Farm Structure in Wood County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Wood County, roughly 1,062 acres. Farms average 142 acres, with about 36% classed as small operations. Around 26% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Wood County
Wood County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, milk, and equine. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Wood County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Wood County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Dairy and poultry waste management, pasture improvement, and water quality.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Waste management, nutrient management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, 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 Wood County
Wood County shares borders with Camp County, Texas, Franklin County, Texas, Hopkins County, Texas, Rains County, Texas, Smith County, Texas, and Upshur 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 Wood 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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