← Tennessee Farm Programs Guide
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Hickman County
Hickman County sits within the Highland Rim and Pennyroyal (MLRA 122) region. Elevation averages about 629 feet.
Temperatures in Hickman County range from a January mean low of 28°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 54.6 inches.
Hickman County ran 651 farms, 140,776 acres of farmland, and 6,004 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, soybeans, and sheep.
Quick Facts
| Region | Middle Tennessee |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry, 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 Hickman County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
124 Progress Center Plz, Centerville, TN 37033
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 Hickman County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 26% of farmland in Hickman County, about 36,068 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in June. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Hickman County
Farms in Hickman County average 216 acres, and about 19% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 157 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Hickman County
Given the operation mix in Hickman County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Hickman County Operations
Based on Hickman County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Pasture improvement and rotational grazing systems emphasized for beef operations. Riparian protection along Duck River and tributaries prioritized.
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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Dickson County, Tennessee, Humphreys County, Tennessee, Lewis County, Tennessee, Maury County, Tennessee, Perry County, Tennessee, and Williamson County, Tennessee. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Hickman County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Tennessee guide: Tennessee Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.