Hickman County, Tennessee: USDA programs and conservation funding

651
Farms & Ranches
141K
Acres in Agriculture
216
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$7.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Cattle, Soybeans, Field Crops, Other, Sheep
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Hickman County, Tennessee has 651 farms working 140,776 agricultural acres (average 216 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $7.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Cattle, Soybeans. 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 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

RegionMiddle Tennessee
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Soybeans, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry, Sheep

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 Hickman County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

124 Progress Center Plz, Centerville, TN 37033

(931) 729-2686

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 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

  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 GrazingCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.63
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.91
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Hickman 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.