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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Monroe County
Monroe County sits within the Highland Rim and Pennyroyal (MLRA 122) region. Elevation averages about 951 feet.
Temperatures in Monroe County range from a January mean low of 26°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 53.0 inches. Expect about 334 frost-free days.
Monroe County ran 674 farms, 148,753 acres of farmland, and 20,503 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and milk.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Kentucky |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Corn, Dairy, Soybeans, Tobacco |
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 Monroe County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
207 Ymca Way, Glasgow, KY 42141
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
201 W Paige St Ste C, Tompkinsville, KY 42167
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 Monroe County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 30% of farmland in Monroe County, about 44,261 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in August. 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 Monroe County
Farms in Monroe County average 221 acres, and about 17% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 9 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Monroe County
Given the operation mix in Monroe County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. 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 Monroe County Operations
Based on Monroe County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Karst terrain management helps protect groundwater quality while maintaining productive agricultural systems. Rotational grazing systems improve pasture productivity and reduce environmental risks associated with the sensitive underground drainage.
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 Allen County, Kentucky, Barren County, Kentucky, Cumberland County, Kentucky, Metcalfe County, Kentucky, Clay County, Tennessee, and Macon County, Tennessee. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Monroe 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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