Clinton County, Kentucky: USDA programs and conservation funding

374
Farms & Ranches
56K
Acres in Agriculture
150
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$8.3M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Corn, Field Crops, Other, Goats
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Clinton County, Kentucky has 374 farms working 56,133 agricultural acres (average 150 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $8.3 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Corn. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, defining the primary growing season.

Programs likely to fit Clinton County operations

With 374 farms averaging 150 acres, a cattle and grain commodity base, vegetation peaking near Aug at 0.86 NDVI, these are the federal programs most worth a closer look. Every program is competitive — confirm fit with your local USDA office.

← Kentucky Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Clinton County

Clinton County is part of the Highland Rim and Pennyroyal land resource region (MLRA 122). The county's mean elevation is about 1,016 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Clinton County sees 54.6 in of rain, a 334-day growing season, a 56.8°F mean annual temperature.

Clinton County carries 8,493 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 19,989 acres. 374 farms operate in the county, averaging 150 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionSouth Central Kentucky
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Corn, Goats, Floriculture, Fruit & tree nuts

Current Conditions

Drought status: None (None).

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 Clinton County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

801b Tennessee Rd B, Albany, KY 42602

(606) 387-5976

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 Clinton County

Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Clinton County greening up around April and peaking in August. The county carries about 19,989 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.


Farm Structure in Clinton County

The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Clinton County at an average farm size of 150 acres, 29% small operations, 27% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 18 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.


What Tends to Fit in Clinton County

Given the operation mix in Clinton 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 Clinton County Operations

Based on Clinton County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Conservation programs emphasize soil health improvement and nutrient management for tobacco and row crop operations. EQIP provides cost-share for pasture renovation and livestock water systems.

Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.


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

Nearby Counties

Operators in Clinton County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Cumberland County, Kentucky, Russell County, Kentucky, Wayne County, Kentucky, Clay County, Tennessee, and Pickett County, Tennessee. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Clinton County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Kentucky guide: Kentucky Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentEQIP Brush ManagementCRPEQIP Fencing

Vegetation Baseline

0.67
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.86
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Clinton County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.