← Tennessee Farm Programs Guide

Clay County, Tennessee

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

Rolling hills and narrow valleys of the Highland Rim create challenging terrain for agriculture, with the Obey River flowing through the county toward Dale Hollow Lake. The county features some of the most rugged terrain in Middle Tennessee.

Limited agriculture due to steep terrain, with small cattle operations and hay production in valley areas and gentler slopes. Many farming operations are small-scale and supplement other income sources.

Quick Facts
RegionMiddle Tennessee
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Horses, Sheep, Goats, Hogs
Farms & Ranches~240 (approx.)
Agricultural Land~62,000 acres
Average Farm Size~170 acres

Find Your Local USDA Offices

Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS and FSA under one roof.

Find your Service Center:

→ USDA Service Center Locator

Search for "Clay County" to find your local NRCS and FSA offices.

What to do when you call: Ask for a conservation planner (EQIP/CSP) or loan officer (FSA). Mention your operation type and planned improvements.

Programs for Clay County Operations

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

Conservation programs address steep slope challenges and promote sustainable grazing systems on limited suitable land. Forestry and pasture integration programs help maximize productivity of small farming operations.

Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener — 2 minutes, personalized action packet.

Local Conservation Priorities

EQIP applications addressing local priorities score higher in ranking.

We don't have Clay County's specific LWG priorities yet.

Ask your local NRCS office: "What are the priority resource concerns in Clay County?"

Your Next Steps in Clay 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

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