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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Chester County
Chester County sits within the Gulf Coastal Plain (MLRA 133C) region. Elevation averages about 479 feet.
Temperatures in Chester County range from a January mean low of 29°F to a July mean high near 90°F. Annual precipitation averages 55.9 inches.
Chester County ran 351 farms, 77,906 acres of farmland, and 2,951 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, cattle, and cotton.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Tennessee |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Cotton, Corn, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
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 Chester County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
Madison Cty Ag Complex, 313 N Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
512 Mulberry Ave, Selmer, TN 38375
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Chester County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 12% of farmland in Chester County, about 9,007 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 Chester County
Farms in Chester County average 222 acres, and about 16% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,391 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Chester County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Chester County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Chester County Operations
Based on Chester County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize soil health and erosion control for intensive row crop operations on rolling terrain. Water quality protection measures address runoff management in watersheds draining to the Tennessee River.
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 Hardeman County, Tennessee, Hardin County, Tennessee, Henderson County, Tennessee, McNairy County, Tennessee, and Madison County, Tennessee. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Chester County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Tennessee guide: Tennessee Farm Programs Guide
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