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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Hickman County
Hickman County is part of the Southern Mississippi Valley Loess land resource region (MLRA 134). The county's mean elevation is about 412 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Hickman County sees 52.2 in of rain, a 334-day growing season, a 58.5°F mean annual temperature.
Hickman County carries 521 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 1,909 acres. 226 farms operate in the county, averaging 494 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Western Kentucky |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Soybeans, Corn, Hogs, Tobacco, Cattle & calves |
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 Hickman County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
205 State Route 123 W, Clinton, KY 42031
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 Hickman County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Hickman County greening up around March and peaking in August. The county carries about 1,909 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 Hickman County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Hickman County at an average farm size of 494 acres, 19% small operations, 22% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 6,824 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 Hickman County
With corn and soybeans in the mix in Hickman County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations); and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage (specialty-crop acres). 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 Hickman County Operations
Based on Hickman County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Wetland conservation programs protect waterfowl habitat along the Mississippi flyway. Flood mitigation and drainage management are priorities given the county's proximity to major waterways.
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 Hickman County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Carlisle County, Kentucky, Fulton County, Kentucky, Graves County, Kentucky, Mississippi County, Missouri, Obion County, Tennessee, and Weakley County, Tennessee. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Hickman County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Kentucky guide: Kentucky Farm Programs Guide
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