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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Marshall County
Marshall County sits within the Nashville Basin (MLRA 123) region. Elevation averages about 753 feet.
Temperatures in Marshall County range from a January mean low of 29°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 56.2 inches.
Marshall County ran 995 farms, 144,148 acres of farmland, and 15,735 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and milk.
Quick Facts
| Region | Middle Tennessee |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Corn, Dairy, Horses, Vegetables |
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 Marshall County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1427 New Columbia Hwy, Lewisburg, TN 37091
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 Marshall County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 32% of farmland in Marshall County, about 46,350 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in July. 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 Marshall County
Farms in Marshall County average 145 acres, and about 30% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 296 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Marshall County
Given the operation mix in Marshall 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 Marshall County Operations
Based on Marshall County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Soil health initiatives promote cover crops and reduced tillage in row crop systems. Water quality protection along Duck River tributaries emphasizes nutrient management and riparian buffers.
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 Bedford County, Tennessee, Giles County, Tennessee, Lincoln County, Tennessee, Maury County, Tennessee, Rutherford 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 Marshall 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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