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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Hickory County
Hickory County sits within the Ozark Highland (MLRA 116A) region. Elevation averages about 777 feet.
Temperatures in Hickory County range from a January mean low of 22°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 43.8 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Hickory County ran 466 farms, 177,802 acres of farmland, and 26,538 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, milk, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Missouri |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Dairy, Soybeans, Corn, Poultry, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Hickory County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
18703 Jackson St., Hermitage, MO 65668
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 Hickory County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 33% of farmland in Hickory County, about 59,291 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 Hickory County
Farms in Hickory County average 382 acres, and about 11% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 114 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Hickory County
Hickory County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and milk. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Hickory County Operations
Based on Hickory County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Shoreline management practices protect water quality in the lakes while maintaining access for livestock watering. Rotational grazing systems help maximize carrying capacity on the limited agricultural land.
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 Benton County, Missouri, Camden County, Missouri, Dallas County, Missouri, Polk County, Missouri, and St. Clair County, Missouri. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Hickory County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Missouri guide: Missouri Farm Programs Guide
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