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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Shelby County
Shelby County sits within the Southern Mississippi Valley Loess (MLRA 134) region. Elevation averages about 248 feet.
Temperatures in Shelby County range from a January mean low of 32°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 55.4 inches.
Shelby County ran 417 farms, 90,742 acres of farmland, and 2,093 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, corn, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Tennessee |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Corn, Horses, Wheat, Floriculture, Cattle & calves |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Shelby County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
7777 Walnut Grove Rd, Memphis, TN 38120
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 Shelby County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 9% of farmland in Shelby County, about 7,954 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 Shelby County
Farms in Shelby County average 218 acres, and about 37% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 208 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Shelby County
Given the operation mix in Shelby County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations, 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 Shelby County Operations
Based on Shelby County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation efforts focus on water quality protection in the Mississippi River watershed through cover crops and precision agriculture. Urban interface programs help remaining farmers deal with development pressure and liability issues.
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 Crittenden County, Arkansas, Mississippi County, Arkansas, DeSoto County, Mississippi, Marshall County, Mississippi, Fayette County, Tennessee, and Tipton County, Tennessee. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Shelby 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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