FEDERAL AGRICULTURE AGENCIES

USDA - United States Department of Agriculture
http://www.usda.gov
The USDA is the umbrella under which several agencies operate.  They cover everything from the farm bill to food stamps.  Below are the agencies that you will probably have the most contact.

Cooperative Extension Service - The County Agent or Extension Educator
Cooperating with the Local, State, and USDA
http://texasextension.tamu.edu/
http://www2.dasnr.okstate.edu/
The County Agent - an advisor employed by the government to assist people in rural areas with methods of farming and home economics.   The County Extension Agent has diversified into other areas; however, these are their core values.  The Cooperative Extension Service is the educational arm of the USDA that links university research to people.  If you have a question about agriculture, these people have the answer or can provide you direction.  Usually there is an office located in every county seat.

NRCS - Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA (formerly the Soil Conservation Service or SCS)
http://www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov/
http://www.ok.nrcs.usda.gov/
The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.  NRCS is the branch of the USDA that coordinates and implements soil conservation practices on private lands.  NRCS employs soil conservationists, rangeland management specialists, soil scientists, agronomists, biologists, engineers, geologists, engineers, and foresters. These experts help landowners develop conservation plans, create and restore wetlands, restore and manage other natural ecosystems as well as advise nutrient and animal waste management and watershed planning.  NRCS also administers the EQIP program.

FSA - Farm Service Agency
USDA (formerly the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service or ASCS)
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/default.asp
The FSA is the division of the USDA that oversees the administration of most all federal farm programs. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers farm commodity, crop insurance, credit, environmental, conservation, and emergency assistance programs for farmers and ranchers.  Offices are located in strategic counties in every state in the United States.

STATE AGRICULTURAL AGENCIES

Texas Parks and Wildlife
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department provides outdoor recreational opportunities by managing and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat and acquiring and managing parklands and historic areas. It has inherited the functions of many state entities created to protect Texas' natural resources. The legislature placed authority for managing fish and wildlife resources in all Texas counties with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department when it passed the Wildlife Conservation Act in 1983.

The Wildlife Division provides landowner incentives to manage for rare species, inform the public about wildlife, provide technical guidance to private landowners, and develop more than 3,208 active wildlife management plans for about 14.6 million acres of private lands.

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/
There are many Landowner Assistance Programs, such as quail enhancement, deer management assistance and farm pond management, which the department provides to help landowners improve the habitat on their property for wildlife. Department personnel will schedule a visit with the landowner and assess the habitat needs of that piece of property. Since 95-97% of the state is privately owned, these programs are vital to the health of all species. For information on specific programs, call the Department at (405) 521-2739.

Texas Forest Service
http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/
The Texas Forest Service was created in 1915 by the 34th Legislature as an integral part of The Texas A&M University System. It is mandated by law to "assume direction of all forest interests and all matters pertaining to forestry within the jurisdiction of the state."  The mission of the Texas Forest Service is to provide statewide leadership to assure the state’s forests, trees, and related natural resources are wisely used, nurtured, protected and perpetuated for the benefit of all Texans.  Today, the Texas Forest Service has more than 354 employees in offices across the state, including all the major cities. Its headquarters are in College Station, and the largest concentration of offices is in East Texas.

Oklahoma Agriculture Food and Forestry: Forestry Services
http://www.oda.state.ok.us/forestry-home.htm
Created in 1925 by the Oklahoma Legislature, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture - Forestry Services division serves the citizens of Oklahoma through a variety of programs. Professional foresters provide assistance in all 77 counties - from the most remote areas of the Great Plains to the southeastern swamplands, from rural communities to metropolitan downtowns.  They offer programs in the areas of Fire Protection, Forest Conservation and Management, Forest Education, Oklahoma's Forest and Urban and Community Forestry.