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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Jefferson County
Jefferson County sits within the Southern Appalachian Ridges and Valleys (MLRA 128) region. Elevation averages about 1,360 feet.
Temperatures in Jefferson County range from a January mean low of 28°F to a July mean high near 88°F. Annual precipitation averages 48.7 inches.
Jefferson County ran 826 farms, 82,883 acres of farmland, and 6,180 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and milk.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Tennessee |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Dairy, Soybeans, Horses, Hogs |
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 Jefferson County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
321 Hwy 92 South, Dandridge, TN 37725
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 Jefferson County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 38% of farmland in Jefferson County, about 31,278 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in May. 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 Jefferson County
Farms in Jefferson County average 100 acres, and about 35% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 923 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Jefferson County
Given the operation mix in Jefferson County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. 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 Jefferson County Operations
Based on Jefferson County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Dairy operation environmental compliance and nutrient management planning emphasized. Tourism agriculture and agritourism opportunities promoted near Smoky Mountains.
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 Cocke County, Tennessee, Grainger County, Tennessee, Hamblen County, Tennessee, Knox County, Tennessee, and Sevier County, Tennessee. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Jefferson 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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