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"Diversified" is the word that describes
agriculture in Henry County, Tennessee.
There are farms in the county that produce
almost any agriculture product. Corn,
soybeans, wheat and tobacco are the major
crops but commercial fruits and vegetables
are produced on a few farms. Dairy, beef and
swine operations comprise the bulk of animal
industries but poultry and horse farms are
here as well. Forestry is another important
part of our farm economy.
Forty-eight percent of the county's landmass
is considered farmland. The county is
roughly equally divided into a western
watershed, which
 eventually drains into the
Mississippi River, and an eastern watershed,
which drains into the Tennessee River.
Topography of the western part of the county
is nearly level, undulating or rolling while
that of the eastern part is hillier.
Excellent agricultural soils can be found in
all parts of the county, however they are
more abundant on the western side.
Henry County farmers are proud of the
distinction of having a higher percentage of
crops using no-till planting techniques than
any other in the state. No-till is the rule
instead of the exception in this county. A
tradition of good land stewardship runs deep
here.
Agriculture here is well served by
agri-business. Four equipment dealers and
two bulk seed and fertilizer dealers are
located here. Several other out-of-county
equipment and ag supply businesses serve the
area as well. Grain can be marketed at three
different local locations and at several
within short hauling distances. There is a
local stockyard and another in a neighboring
county.
 The
county's population is very "farm
friendly" with a high percentage having at
least some farm background. There is an active Farm Bureau organization, a thriving
county fair, active programs in 4-H and FFA,
a county livestock association, a county
Dairy Herd Improvement Association and a
supportive Chamber of Commerce which hosts
an annual Farmer Appreciation Banquet.
Spring planting starts here with corn being
planted in April. Single-crop soybeans are
planted and tobacco transplanted in May.
June brings wheat threshing with double-crop
soybeans planted immediately into the wheat
stubble. In August, dairymen chop corn
silage and tobacco is cut. Corn shelling
usually fills September and October. After
corn shelling, soybeans are harvested with
everyone expecting and hoping to be finished
by Thanksgiving.
Detailed statistics for agriculture in Henry
County can be found by going to
www.nass.usda.gov/tn. Click on ag census,
then click on TENNESSEE county highlights
(tables and graphs) and also on Tennessee
county profiles (parts 1 & 2) If you would
like to speak to someone about the
agriculture resources of the county you are
invited to call the Henry County
Agricultural Extension Office at
731-642-2941. |
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