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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Cumberland County
Cumberland County is part of the Cumberland Plateau and Mountains land resource region (MLRA 125). The county's mean elevation is about 1,841 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Cumberland County sees 59.2 in of rain, a 334-day growing season, a 55.6°F mean annual temperature.
Cumberland County carries 10,974 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 33,819 acres. 818 farms operate in the county, averaging 159 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Tennessee |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Poultry, Hogs, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Cumberland County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
314 Old Jamestown Highway, Crossville, TN 38555
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 Cumberland County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Cumberland County greening up around May and peaking in June. The county carries about 33,819 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Cumberland County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Cumberland County at an average farm size of 159 acres, 34% small operations, 21% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 185 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Cumberland County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Cumberland 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 waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations). 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 Cumberland County Operations
Based on Cumberland County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs address erosion control on steep terrain and promote forest-pasture management systems. Livestock forage programs help improve productivity of limited grazing areas suitable for agriculture.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Cumberland County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Bledsoe County, Tennessee, Fentress County, Tennessee, Morgan County, Tennessee, Putnam County, Tennessee, Rhea County, Tennessee, and Roane County, Tennessee. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Cumberland 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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