Wilson County, Tennessee: USDA programs and conservation funding

1,443
Farms & Ranches
180K
Acres in Agriculture
125
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$11.0M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Grain, Soybeans, Corn
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Wilson County, Tennessee has 1,443 farms working 180,001 agricultural acres (average 125 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $11.0 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

Programs likely to fit Wilson County operations

With 1,443 farms averaging 125 acres, a cattle and grain commodity base, vegetation peaking near Jun at 0.85 NDVI, these are the federal programs most worth a closer look. Every program is competitive — confirm fit with your local USDA office.

← Tennessee Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Wilson County

Wilson County is part of the Nashville Basin land resource region (MLRA 123). The county's mean elevation is about 787 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Wilson County sees 54.0 in of rain, a 58.9°F mean annual temperature.

Wilson County carries 26,398 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 68,096 acres. 1,443 farms operate in the county, averaging 125 acres each.

Quick Facts
RegionMiddle Tennessee
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Soybeans, Corn, Horses, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts

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 Wilson County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

925 E Baddour Pkwy, Lebanon, TN 37087

(615) 444-1890

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 Wilson County

Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Wilson County greening up around April and peaking in June. The county carries about 68,096 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.

Farm Structure in Wilson County

The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Wilson County at an average farm size of 125 acres, 32% small operations, 25% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 567 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.

What Tends to Fit in Wilson County

Given the operation mix in Wilson 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 Wilson County Operations

Based on Wilson County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Tobacco transition programs help farmers diversify into vegetables and other specialty crops for Nashville area markets. Conservation programs support nutrient management and soil health practices on intensively farmed land.

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

Nearby Counties

Operators in Wilson County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Cannon County, Tennessee, Davidson County, Tennessee, DeKalb County, Tennessee, Rutherford County, Tennessee, Smith County, Tennessee, and Sumner County, Tennessee. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Wilson County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Tennessee guide: Tennessee Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentEQIP Brush ManagementCRPEQIP Fencing

Vegetation Baseline

0.72
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.85
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Wilson County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.