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Help paying for a farm pond in Middle Tennessee (Wilson, Rutherford, Sumner)

Short version: if your pond is for livestock water (not just a view or fishing), the USDA's EQIP program may pay part of the cost. Tennessee's own conservation program can add to it in some cases. You must apply and be approved before any digging starts.

Rates below are from the Tennessee FY2026 EQIP payment schedule, downloaded October 30, 2026. NRCS updates schedules each fiscal year, so confirm current rates with your local NRCS office.

1. USDA NRCS EQIP: Tennessee FY2026 pond rates

EQIP pays from a fixed state schedule, not from your actual bill. Tennessee FY2026 rates for Pond (practice 378)^[1]:

Pond type (NRCS component)	Standard rate	Historically underserved (HU) rate
Embankment pond with pipe	$4.04 per cubic yard	$4.84 per cubic yard
Embankment pond without pipe	$1.84 per cubic yard	$2.21 per cubic yard
Excavated pit (dug-out pond)	$1.84 per cubic yard	$2.21 per cubic yard

Related Tennessee FY2026 practices that often go with a pond^[1]:

Watering facility (614): e.g. a frost-free tank at $1,703.63 each.
Brush management (314): e.g. mechanical control of large shrubs (medium infestation) at $289.69/acre.
Access road (560): gravel road on level terrain, $4,576.82 base plus $32.42 per cubic yard.
Heavy use area protection (561): rock/gravel on geotextile, $2.39 per sq ft.

How big is the check? (our arithmetic, illustrative only)

An old Tennessee NRCS pond example moved about 3,100 cubic yards ^[2].
At FY2026 rates that is about $5,700 as an excavated pit (3,100 × $1.84), or about $12,500 as an embankment pond with pipe (3,100 × $4.04).
NRCS sets the actual cubic yards in its design.

Cost-share limits: generally up to 75% of estimated cost, and up to 90% for historically underserved producers or state high-priority practices^[3] (secondary source; confirm with NRCS).

2. Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) Ag Resources Conservation Fund

TDA can pay incentives for ponds (378), watering facilities and related practices, but only as part of a livestock exclusion or prescribed grazing system in a conservation plan ^[4].
New practices that serve a dual purpose (home or other non-agricultural use) are not eligible ^[4].
It can also help repair spillways on existing ponds where there is a real water-quality concern and no current USDA maintenance agreement ^[4].
TDA's FY27 guidance says it is still using FY2025 EQIP rates for its own payments until further notice ^[4].

3. How to start (in this order)

Call or visit your county Soil & Water Conservation District / NRCS office (list below) and ask about EQIP for livestock water. NRCS Tennessee runs ranking pools and deadlines each year^[5].
NRCS visits, writes a conservation plan, and designs the pond (size, dam, pipe).
Wait for an approved contract before any work. Starting early can make the work ineligible (a common EQIP rule; confirm with NRCS).
Hire a licensed contractor to build to the NRCS design. Jobs of $25,000+ require a TN-licensed contractor^[6].
NRCS checks the finished work, then pays.

County offices^[7]

Wilson County SWCD: 925 E. Baddour Pkwy, Suite 101, Lebanon, TN 37087 · (615) 444-1890 x3 (contact page)
Rutherford County SWCD: 315 John R. Rice Blvd, Suite 150, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 · (615) 893-9295 x3
Sumner County SWCD: 150 Albert Gallatin Ave, Gallatin, TN 37066 · (615) 452-3838 x3

4. Other things to check

Big ponds or work near streams or wetlands can need TDEC or Army Corps review ^[8].
Clearing the pond site over 1 acre usually needs a land disturbance permit ^[9]^[10].
Burning cleared brush Oct 15 – May 15 needs a one-day state burn permit ^[11].

Want a contractor who can build to an NRCS design?

Request a free quote See typical costs

Free to ask. No obligation. One contractor, not a call list.

We are not a contractor and do not perform, price or bid work. The licensed contractor named on this page quotes and contracts directly. Cumberland Land Works is not affiliated with USDA, NRCS or TDA. This page is general information, not program advice. Confirm current rates and eligibility with your local NRCS office.

Sources

[1] USDA NRCS Tennessee Payment Schedule FY2026 EQIP (xlsx) (downloaded 10/30/2026)
[2] AcreageReady, Tennessee farm pond costs (read 10/30/2026)
[3] Meterra Systems, EQIP livestock water guide (secondary source) (read 10/30/2026)
[4] TN Dept. of Agriculture, Ag Resources Conservation Fund FY27 guidance (read 10/30/2026)
[5] USDA NRCS Tennessee payment schedules (read 10/30/2026)
[6] TN Board for Licensing Contractors, getting a contractor license (read 10/30/2026)
[7] TN Soil & Water Conservation District directory (read 10/30/2026)
[8] landclearingtennessee.com, Drainage & Ponds (read 10/30/2026)
[9] New Eden Land Services, Murfreesboro pond & dam page (Rutherford land disturbance permit over 1 acre) (read 10/25/2026)
[10] New Eden Land Services, Gallatin page (Gallatin stormwater ordinance, over 1 acre) (read 10/30/2026)
[11] TN Division of Forestry, BurnSafeTN burn permits (read 10/30/2026)