Madison County, Tennessee: USDA programs and conservation funding

618
Farms & Ranches
167K
Acres in Agriculture
270
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$2.8M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Soybeans, Corn, Cotton, Wheat
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Madison County, Tennessee has 618 farms working 166,694 agricultural acres (average 270 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $2.8 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Soybeans, Corn. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, 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 Madison County

Madison County sits within the Southern Mississippi Valley Loess (MLRA 134) region. Elevation averages about 342 feet.

Temperatures in Madison County range from a January mean low of 30°F to a July mean high near 90°F. Annual precipitation averages 55.5 inches.

Madison County ran 618 farms, 166,694 acres of farmland, and 4,262 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, corn, and cotton.


Quick Facts

RegionWest Tennessee
Top CommoditiesSoybeans, Corn, Cotton, Wheat, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts

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 Madison County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

Madison Cty Ag Complex, 313 N Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305

(731) 668-1544

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 Madison County Operations

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

Programs focus on drainage management and soil health practices for intensive row crop systems. Cover crops and conservation tillage are promoted to reduce erosion and improve water quality in the Forked Deer River watershed.

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 Carroll County, Tennessee, Chester County, Tennessee, Crockett County, Tennessee, Gibson County, Tennessee, Hardeman County, Tennessee, and Haywood County, Tennessee. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Madison 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 FencingEQIP Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.66
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.87
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Madison 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.