Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Zapata County
Temperatures in Zapata County range from a January mean low of 47°F to a July mean high near 99°F. Annual precipitation averages 20.0 inches.
Zapata County ran 305 farms, 287,324 acres of farmland, and 11,980 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, goats, and goats.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Texas / Rio Grande |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Goats, Sheep |
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 Zapata County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
Hwy 16 & 8th St, Zapata, TX 78076
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
708 W Main Street, Suite B, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
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 Zapata County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 92% of farmland in Zapata County, about 264,004 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 Zapata County
Farms in Zapata County average 942 acres, and about 6% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 447 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Zapata County
Given the operation mix in Zapata County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Zapata County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Zapata County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Brush management, wildlife habitat, and livestock water.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, prescribed burning, livestock water development, wildlife habitat management, and prescribed grazing.
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 Jim Hogg County, Texas, Starr County, Texas, and Webb County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Zapata 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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