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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Grundy County
Grundy County lies in the Cumberland Plateau and Mountains (MLRA 125) region. Elevation averages about 1,842 feet.
Grundy County averages 62.3 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 334 days. Annual mean temperature is 56.5°F.
Grundy County's agricultural base centers on cattle, soybeans, and corn. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 201 farms working 29,669 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 2,164 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Tennessee |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Corn, Vegetables, Sheep |
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 Grundy County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
3709 Main St, Jasper, TN 37347
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1008 Eastend Rd, Manchester, TN 37355
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 Grundy County
Grundy County reported 2,164 head of cattle across roughly 5,996 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows May green-up and a August growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Grundy County.
Farm Structure in Grundy County
Irrigation covers about 2% of farmland in Grundy County, roughly 533 acres. Farms average 148 acres, with about 27% classed as small operations. Around 25% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Grundy County
Grundy County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and soybeans. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Grundy County Operations
Based on Grundy County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Erosion control and pasture establishment on steep terrain are major challenges. Forest management practices often integrated with limited grazing operations.
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 Grundy County
Grundy County shares borders with Coffee County, Tennessee, Franklin County, Tennessee, Marion County, Tennessee, Sequatchie County, Tennessee, and Warren 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 Grundy 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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