Zavala County

Zavala County is in Southwest Texas, bordered by Uvalde, Dimmit, Frio, and Maverick counties. Its county seat, Crystal City—known as the “Spinach Capital of the World”—is located in the southwest area. Other communities include La Pryor and Batesville, both unincorporated but served by their own school districts. Farming, ranching, food processing, and hunting dominate the local economy. Winter vegetable crops like spinach, onions, and cabbage are prominent, along with watermelons, cantaloupes, sunflowers, cucumbers, and pecans. Grain crops include corn, wheat, oats, and sorghum. Cotton is a major crop, with two local gins serving a wide area. Hunting is a major economic activity from September to January, with deer, quail, and dove hunting being particularly popular. Most land is leased for hunting, often with high-fence operations and year-round lease options. Livestock includes cow-calf operations, stockers, feedlots, and some goat production, often combined with hunting services.

Through an expansive network of 250 county offices and more than 900 professional educators, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides practical, accessible solutions to everyday challenges. Connect with an AgriLife Extension representative in your area to explore the wide range of educational resources, programming and activities available to you.