Tennessee Farm Programs: Pasture Improvement, Cotton Soil Health & Cattle Water

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

Quick Facts

Federal Programs in Tennessee

Federal programs like EQIP, CSP, and FSA loans are available nationwide, but how they work in practice varies by state. Each state sets its own EQIP priorities, ranking criteria, and application deadlines. Below is how the federal programs apply specifically in Tennessee. For full details on any program, read the federal program guides.

EQIP in Tennessee

Tennessee EQIP Priorities:

• Grazing management and pasture improvement
• Water quality protection
• Soil health on cropland
• Livestock water development
• Erosion control
• Wildlife habitat

Livestock-Specific Practices Commonly Funded:

• Cross-fencing for rotational grazing
• Livestock water development (getting cattle out of streams)
• Prescribed grazing systems
• Heavy use area protection
• Pasture and hayland planting (fescue management)
• Riparian fencing and buffers
• Nutrient management

EQIP in Tennessee: What to Ask About: Tennessee NRCS identifies stream exclusion, getting cattle out of streams through riparian fencing and alternative water sources, as a top EQIP priority. NRCS offers EQIP funding for combinations of riparian fencing, livestock water development, and prescribed grazing. Fescue renovation (converting toxic endophyte to novel endophyte varieties) may also be available in your area. Ask your local office about the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) and other available initiatives.

Tennessee EQIP payment schedules: Available on the Tennessee NRCS website.

→ Read the full EQIP guide

CSP in Tennessee

CSP rewards producers for conservation practices already in place and pays for new enhancements. Well-managed operations with rotational grazing, maintained fencing, and conservation practices are strong candidates.

→ Read the full CSP guide

FSA Programs in Tennessee

Current Disaster Designations: Check farmers.gov/protection-recovery for current drought and disaster designations in Tennessee.

Key FSA Programs:

• Direct and Guaranteed Farm Ownership and Operating Loans
• Microloans (up to $50,000, simplified application)
• Emergency Farm Loans (for designated disaster areas)
• Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). Tornado, flooding, drought, and severe storm losses
• ELAP: covers drought-related grazing losses and emergency costs
• Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), triggered by drought monitor conditions

Tennessee FSA State Office: (615) 277-2600

Tennessee-Specific Programs

Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund (ARCF): State cost-share for conservation practices that can stack with EQIP.

Website: tn.gov/agriculture

Tennessee Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Tennessee has 95 Soil and Water Conservation Districts, active partners in conservation cost-share.

Tennessee Cattlemen's Association

Website: tncattle.org

Tennessee Tax Provisions for Ag

• Agricultural Use Assessment (Greenbelt Law): Agricultural land is assessed at use value rather than market value, significant savings, especially near growing urban areas (Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga).
• No State Income Tax: Tennessee has no income tax on wages or farm income. (Tennessee eliminated its investment income tax in 2021.)
• Sales Tax Exemptions: Farm machinery, equipment, livestock, and agricultural inputs are exempt from Tennessee sales tax.

RCPP in Tennessee

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funds conservation projects through partnerships between NRCS and local organizations. RCPP projects vary by state and year — check with your local NRCS office or visit the RCPP page for current projects in your area.

ACEP in Tennessee

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners protect farmland and wetlands through conservation easements. Two components: Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) protect working farmland, and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) restore and protect wetlands. Contact your local NRCS office for current enrollment.

Resources

USDA Offices

• Find your local USDA Service Center: farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator

State Resources

• UT Extension: utextension.tennessee.edu
• Tennessee Cattlemen's Association: tncattle.org
• Tennessee Farm Bureau: tnfarmbureau.org

Key Deadlines (FY2026)

Dates are approximate and subject to change. Always confirm with your local NRCS/FSA office.

Your Next Steps in Tennessee

1. Run our eligibility screener to see your personalized program list: Take the eligibility screener
2. Find your local USDA Service Center: farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator
3. Read the federal program guides for programs you're interested in: EQIP · CSP · Beginning Farmer · Disaster Assistance
4. Getting cattle out of streams is Tennessee's top EQIP priority, riparian fencing with alternative water is a top priority
5. No state income tax means you keep 100% of program payments at the state level

Tools for Tennessee Ranchers

Run the numbers before your next USDA visit. Each tool takes 2–3 minutes.

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