Obion County, Tennessee: USDA programs and conservation funding

538
Farms & Ranches
245K
Acres in Agriculture
455
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$4.3M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Soybeans, Corn, Wheat, Hogs
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Obion County, Tennessee has 538 farms working 245,012 agricultural acres (average 455 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $4.3 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 Obion County

Obion County sits within the Southern Mississippi Valley Loess (MLRA 134) region. Elevation averages about 434 feet.

Temperatures in Obion County range from a January mean low of 28°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 53.0 inches.

Obion County ran 538 farms, 245,012 acres of farmland, and 2,740 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, corn, and wheat.


Quick Facts

RegionNorthwest Tennessee
Top CommoditiesSoybeans, Corn, Poultry, Wheat, Hogs, Cattle & calves

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 4+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

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 Obion County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

1216 Stad Ave, Union City, TN 38261

(731) 885-6480

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 Obion County Operations

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

Programs emphasize drainage management and water table control for intensive cropping systems. Conservation practices focus on maintaining soil health and reducing nutrient runoff in this flat, highly productive agricultural region.

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 Fulton County, Kentucky, Hickman County, Kentucky, Dyer County, Tennessee, Gibson County, Tennessee, Lake County, Tennessee, and Weakley County, Tennessee. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Obion 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 Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.66
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.85
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Obion 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.