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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Perry County
Perry County sits within the Highland Rim and Pennyroyal (MLRA 122) region. Elevation averages about 633 feet.
Temperatures in Perry County range from a January mean low of 29°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 55.8 inches.
Perry County ran 251 farms, 52,642 acres of farmland, and 959 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, cattle, and goats.
Quick Facts
| Region | Middle Tennessee |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Berries, Floriculture |
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 Perry County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
124 Progress Center Plz, Centerville, TN 37033
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 Perry County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 13% of farmland in Perry County, about 6,689 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in June. 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 Perry County
Farms in Perry County average 210 acres, and about 19% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 124 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Perry County
Perry County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and cattle. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Perry County Operations
Based on Perry County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CREP programs protect water quality around Kentucky Lake through riparian management and shoreline buffers. Conservation efforts focus on erosion control on rolling cropland and pasture areas.
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 Benton County, Tennessee, Decatur County, Tennessee, Hickman County, Tennessee, Humphreys County, Tennessee, Lewis County, Tennessee, and Wayne County, Tennessee. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Perry 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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