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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Unicoi County
Unicoi County sits within the Southern Blue Ridge (MLRA 130B) region. Elevation averages about 2,479 feet.
Temperatures in Unicoi County range from a January mean low of 25°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 51.1 inches. Expect about 306 frost-free days.
Unicoi County ran 80 farms, 3,748 acres of farmland, and 129 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: sheep.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Tennessee |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Poultry, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Unicoi County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1105 E Jackson Blvd, Jonesboro, TN 37659
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 Unicoi County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 20% of farmland in Unicoi County, about 751 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May 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 Unicoi County
Farms in Unicoi County average 47 acres, and about 63% are small operations. Roughly 29% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 87 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Unicoi County
Given the operation mix in Unicoi 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 Unicoi County Operations
Based on Unicoi County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs focus on erosion control and forest management on steep slopes. Specialty crop producers receive support for season extension and direct marketing infrastructure.
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 Madison County, North Carolina, Mitchell County, North Carolina, Yancey County, North Carolina, Carter County, Tennessee, Greene County, Tennessee, and Washington County, Tennessee. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Unicoi 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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