← Tennessee Farm Programs Guide
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Maury County
Maury County lies in the Nashville Basin (MLRA 123) region. Elevation averages about 638 feet.
Maury County averages 55.4 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 58.9°F.
Maury County's agricultural base centers on cattle, soybeans, and corn. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 1,442 farms working 209,805 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 17,907 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Middle Tennessee |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Corn, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Poultry |
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 Maury County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
803 Hatcher Lane, Columbia, TN 38401
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 Maury County
Maury County reported 17,907 head of cattle across roughly 74,497 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a May growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Maury County.
Farm Structure in Maury County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Maury County, roughly 1,166 acres. Farms average 145 acres, with about 30% classed as small operations. Around 23% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Maury County
Given the operation mix in Maury County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. 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 Maury County Operations
Based on Maury County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize precision agriculture and nutrient management on high-production cropland. Cover crop adoption and soil health practices are priorities for maintaining long-term productivity of prime farmland.
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
Counties Bordering Maury County
Maury County shares borders with Giles County, Tennessee, Hickman County, Tennessee, Lawrence County, Tennessee, Lewis County, Tennessee, Marshall County, Tennessee, and Williamson County, Tennessee. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Maury 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.