Cheatham County, Tennessee: USDA programs and conservation funding

434
Farms & Ranches
45K
Acres in Agriculture
104
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$2.4M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Tobacco, Grain, Cattle, Soybeans, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Cheatham County, Tennessee has 434 farms working 45,289 agricultural acres (average 104 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $2.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Tobacco, Grain, Cattle. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Cheatham County

Cheatham County lies in the Highland Rim and Pennyroyal (MLRA 122) region. Elevation averages about 568 feet.

Cheatham County averages 51.4 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 58.9°F.

Cheatham County's agricultural base centers on tobacco, cattle, and soybeans. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 434 farms working 45,289 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 2,729 head.


Quick Facts

RegionMiddle Tennessee
Top CommoditiesTobacco, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry

Current Conditions

Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Cheatham County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

305 Henslee Dr, Dickson, TN 37055

(615) 446-2449

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

25 Jefferson Street, Suite 101, Clarksville, TN 37040

(931) 368-0252

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.


Programs for Cheatham County Operations

Based on Cheatham County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Programs focus on water quality protection along the Cumberland River and soil conservation for row crop operations. Beginning farmer programs support new agricultural enterprises serving nearby urban markets.

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

Counties Bordering Cheatham County

Cheatham County shares borders with Davidson County, Tennessee, Dickson County, Tennessee, Montgomery County, Tennessee, Robertson County, Tennessee, and Williamson County, Tennessee. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Cheatham County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Tennessee guide: Tennessee Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingEQIP Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.68
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.92
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Cheatham County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.