Henry County, Tennessee: USDA programs and conservation funding

808
Farms & Ranches
219K
Acres in Agriculture
271
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$4.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Hogs, Soybeans, Corn, Tobacco
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Henry County, Tennessee has 808 farms working 219,320 agricultural acres (average 271 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $4.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Hogs, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in May, defining the primary growing season.

Programs likely to fit Henry County operations

With 808 farms averaging 271 acres, a grain and hogs commodity base, vegetation peaking near May at 0.86 NDVI, these are the federal programs most worth a closer look. Every program is competitive — confirm fit with your local USDA office.

← Tennessee Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Henry County

Henry County is part of the Southern Mississippi Valley Loess land resource region (MLRA 134). The county's mean elevation is about 438 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Henry County sees 53.4 in of rain, a 58.8°F mean annual temperature.

Henry County carries 9,197 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 20,932 acres. 808 farms operate in the county, averaging 271 acres each.

Quick Facts
RegionNorthwest Tennessee
Top CommoditiesHogs, Soybeans, Poultry, Corn, Tobacco, Cattle & calves

Current Conditions

Drought status: None (None).

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 Henry County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

408 N Market St, Paris, TN 38242

(731) 642-0761

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 Henry County

Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Henry County greening up around April and peaking in May. The county carries about 20,932 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 Henry County

The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Henry County at an average farm size of 271 acres, 25% small operations, 25% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 4,823 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 Henry County

With corn and soybeans in the mix in Henry County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations); and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage (specialty-crop acres). 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 Henry County Operations

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

Water quality protection around Kentucky Lake through buffer strips and nutrient management planning. Cover crop adoption promoted to improve soil health.

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 Henry County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Calloway County, Kentucky, Graves County, Kentucky, Benton County, Tennessee, Carroll County, Tennessee, Stewart County, Tennessee, and Weakley County, Tennessee. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Henry 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 FencingCRPEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.71
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.86
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Henry 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.