Dickson County, Tennessee: USDA programs and conservation funding

1,060
Farms & Ranches
125K
Acres in Agriculture
118
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$6.0M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Tobacco, Grain, Milk
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Dickson County, Tennessee has 1,060 farms working 124,779 agricultural acres (average 118 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $6.0 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Tobacco. 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 Dickson County

Dickson County lies in the Highland Rim and Pennyroyal (MLRA 122) region. Elevation averages about 731 feet.

Dickson County averages 52.3 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 334 days. Annual mean temperature is 58.4°F.

Dickson County's agricultural base centers on cattle, tobacco, and milk. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 1,060 farms working 124,779 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 9,299 head.


Quick Facts

RegionMiddle Tennessee
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Tobacco, Dairy, Soybeans, Corn, Vegetables

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).

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 Dickson County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

305 Henslee Dr, Dickson, TN 37055

(615) 446-2449

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 Dickson County Operations

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

Programs support both traditional livestock operations and new specialty crop enterprises serving Nashville markets. Conservation initiatives focus on protecting water quality in Harpeth River watersheds while maintaining agricultural productivity.

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 Dickson County

Dickson County shares borders with Cheatham County, Tennessee, Hickman County, Tennessee, Houston County, Tennessee, Humphreys County, Tennessee, Montgomery 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 Dickson 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 Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.71
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.85
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Dickson 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.