← Tennessee Farm Programs Guide
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
| Region | West Tennessee |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Corn, Cotton, Wheat, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Madison County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
Madison Cty Ag Complex, 313 N Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305
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 Madison County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 6% of farmland in Madison County, about 9,620 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in August. 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 Madison County
Farms in Madison County average 270 acres, and about 24% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 5,439 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Madison County
With corn and soybeans in the mix in Madison County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 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
- 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.