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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Van Buren County
Van Buren County sits within the Cumberland Plateau and Mountains (MLRA 125) region. Elevation averages about 1,734 feet.
Temperatures in Van Buren County range from a January mean low of 28°F to a July mean high near 85°F. Annual precipitation averages 58.5 inches. Expect about 334 frost-free days.
Van Buren County ran 269 farms, 35,288 acres of farmland, and 5,457 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, sheep, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Upper Cumberland |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Poultry, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Sheep, Horses |
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 Van Buren County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
2901 Nashville Highway, Mcminnville, TN 37110
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
751 Millers Point Rd, Sparta, TN 38583
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 Van Buren County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 28% of farmland in Van Buren County, about 9,758 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in May. 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 Van Buren County
Farms in Van Buren County average 131 acres, and about 25% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 79 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Van Buren County
Van Buren County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and sheep. 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 Van Buren County Operations
Based on Van Buren County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize forest management and erosion control due to steep terrain and shallow soils. Livestock operations receive assistance for pasture improvement and alternative water sources.
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 Bledsoe County, Tennessee, Cumberland County, Tennessee, Sequatchie County, Tennessee, Warren County, Tennessee, and White County, Tennessee. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Van Buren 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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