Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Zavala County is located in the South Texas / Winter Garden region of Texas. Agriculture here is anchored by cattle & calves, with the county’s operations reflecting the broader character of South Texas / Winter Garden agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Texas / Winter Garden |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Fruit & tree nuts, Corn, Cotton |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Zavala County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
200 S 1st St, Carrizo Springs, TX 78834
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Zavala County
Zavala County reported 2,613 head of cattle across roughly 562,851 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 Zavala County.
Farm Structure in Zavala County
Irrigation covers about 3% of farmland in Zavala County, roughly 22,495 acres. Farms average 3,494 acres, with about 8% classed as small operations. Around 24% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Zavala County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Zavala 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 Zavala County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Zavala County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Brush management, irrigation efficiency, wildlife habitat, and soil health.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management, irrigation water management, prescribed burning, wildlife habitat management, and cover crops.
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 Zavala County
Zavala County shares borders with Dimmit County, Texas, Frio County, Texas, Kinney County, Texas, Maverick County, Texas, Medina County, Texas, and Uvalde 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 Zavala 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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