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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
| Region | Northwest Tennessee |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Corn, Poultry, Wheat, Hogs, Cattle & calves |
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 Obion County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1216 Stad Ave, Union City, TN 38261
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 Obion County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 7% of farmland in Obion County, about 16,091 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 Obion County
Farms in Obion County average 455 acres, and about 26% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 17,980 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Obion County
Given the operation mix in Obion County, the practices that most often come up are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground, and waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. 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 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
- 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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