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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Marshall County
Marshall County sits within the Southern Mississippi Valley Loess (MLRA 134) region. Elevation averages about 425 feet.
Temperatures in Marshall County range from a January mean low of 27°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 50.9 inches. Expect about 334 frost-free days.
Marshall County ran 787 farms, 89,160 acres of farmland, and 2,800 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Western Kentucky |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables |
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 Marshall County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
107 W 5th St, Benton, KY 42025
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 Marshall County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 16% of farmland in Marshall County, about 14,203 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in July. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Marshall County
Farms in Marshall County average 113 acres, and about 32% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 84 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Marshall County
Marshall County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and corn. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Marshall County Operations
Based on Marshall County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation practices focus on livestock waste management and riparian buffers to protect Kentucky Lake water quality. Cost-share programs help establish rotational grazing systems and fence livestock out of streams.
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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Calloway County, Kentucky, Graves County, Kentucky, Livingston County, Kentucky, Lyon County, Kentucky, McCracken County, Kentucky, and Trigg County, Kentucky. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Marshall 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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