Agriculture in Tennessee
ZIP codes in our Tennessee data
USDA hardiness zones present
Agriculture is one of Tennessee's largest and most established industries, with farms spread across the state's three grand divisions of West, Middle, and East Tennessee. A mix of row crops, cattle, poultry, and nursery production supports both large commercial operations and a broad base of small family farms. For growers and gardeners, Tennessee's long growing season and varied terrain make it possible to raise a wide range of field crops, fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals.
Farming in Tennessee
Tennessee's leading row crops are soybeans, corn, and cotton, most of which are grown in the flatter, fertile ground of West Tennessee near the Mississippi River. Livestock is central to the state's farm economy, with beef cattle and calves raised across much of Middle and East Tennessee and poultry, especially broiler chickens, a major product as well. Hay is grown widely to support the cattle herds, and tobacco, including dark-fired and burley types, remains a traditional crop in parts of Middle and northern Tennessee. The state also has a strong ornamental horticulture sector, with a well-known concentration of nursery and greenhouse operations, along with fresh-market vegetables such as tomatoes and snap beans grown for regional markets.
Climate and growing conditions
Most of Tennessee has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and generally mild winters, while the higher elevations of the eastern mountains are noticeably cooler. The frost-free growing season is long, running roughly 180 to 220 days depending on region, with the last spring frost typically in April and the first fall frost from late October into November. USDA hardiness zones range from about 6a in the eastern mountains to 8a in the warmer, lower elevations of the west, with much of the state falling in zones 7a and 7b.
Major agricultural products
- Soybeans
- Cattle and calves
- Broilers and poultry
- Corn
- Cotton
- Hay
- Tobacco
- Greenhouse and nursery products
Hardiness zones in Tennessee
Growers in Tennessee fall across these USDA plant hardiness zones (by number of ZIP codes in our data):
Local weather & frost dates in Tennessee
Open any location for its live forecast, frost dates, and planting calendar:
Counties in Tennessee
Browse local growing conditions, hardiness zones, and weather by county (95 counties):
Market prices & data for Tennessee
- Frost dates across Tennessee
- Hay prices in Tennessee
- Grain cash bids in Tennessee
- All USDA hardiness zones
State overviews combine hardiness-zone data from our ZIP database with public USDA market reports and NOAA climate normals. For farm-level decisions, consult your state's Cooperative Extension service. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.