Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA)

The AgTrack Committee reviews applications throughout the year on a quarterly basis. Apply through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture AgTrack page.

Tennessee Department of Agriculture — Business Development

AgTrack is a competitive cost-share grant program from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture that awards funds to starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses, as well as nonprofits, local governments, and other entities in Tennessee. It focuses on value-added and processing projects that benefit other producers or forest landowners.



Applicants must be a Tennessee entity (agriculture, food, or forestry business, farmer, local government, or nonprofit in Tennessee) or have a project based in Tennessee, and must demonstrate that their project will increase farm income for local farmers, enhance access to agricultural markets, increase business capacity, or contribute to the agriculture industry through innovation.

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Buildings

Construction

Fencing

Greenhouse

High Tunnel

Irrigation

Storage

Applicants must invest in the project; AgTrack funds may not exceed 25% of the project's total budget. Applicants must purchase at least 25% of any agricultural inputs from Tennessee producers. Funds may be used for equipment purchases, infrastructure development, or programs/events supporting AgTrack goals — but not employee salaries or land purchases.

View the application questions and complete your application online at this portal.

The Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) is an incentive program that supports Governor Lee’s priority of job creation and economic development by facilitating agricultural development in Tennessee. It is administered by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development.

The AEF awards grants to starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses; nonprofits, local governments, and other entities in Tennessee, or those whose project will be located in Tennessee. The program focuses on value-added&#x2004;and processing projects that benefit other producers or forest landowners. Farming projects such as livestock, row crop, or horticulture production expansions will not be competitive, but may be supported through the [Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP)](https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/taep.html).

Successful grant recipients must demonstrate a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity or agricultural innovation. Priority will be given to businesses located in at-risk counties, distressed counties, and counties adjoining at-risk or distressed counties, and the AEF selection process is competitive. 



The Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) is an incentive program that supports Governor Lee’s priority of job creation and economic development by facilitating agricultural development in Tennessee. It is administered by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development.
The AEF awards grants to starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses; nonprofits, local governments, and other entities in Tennessee, or those whose project will be located in Tennessee. The program focuses on value-added and processing projects that benefit other producers or forest landowners. Farming projects such as livestock, row crop, or horticulture production expansions will not be competitive, but may be supported through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP).
Successful grant recipients must demonstrate a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity or agricultural innovation. Priority will be given to businesses located in at-risk counties, distressed counties, and counties adjoining at-risk or distressed counties, and the AEF selection process is competitive. 

Applicant Requirements
- Applicants must be a Tennessee entity (i.e. agriculture, food, or forestry business, farmer, local government, or nonprofit in Tennessee) or have a project based in Tennessee.
- Applicants must demonstrate that their project will increase farm income for local farmers, enhance access to agricultural markets, increase capacity of their business, or contribute to the agriculture industry through innovation.
- Applicants must be making an investment into the project. AEF funds may not be more than 25% of the project’s total budget.
- Applicants must submit project updates to measure impact of the grant on the applicant as well as the local economy, and agree to work with the Department of Agriculture to track success of the project.
- Applicants may not submit proposals that will result in relocation of a facility from one place in Tennessee to another.
- Applicants must purchase at least 25% of any agricultural inputs from Tennessee producers. This requirement may be relaxed when compliance would be impracticable – i.e. in times of drought, disease, etc.
Project Requirements
Projects funded by the Agricultural Enterprise Fund must match the description of at least one of the following four categories. Many projects will potentially match the description of more than one category and applicants should indicate so on their application.
- Increase in Farm Income - This category includes projects that will increase farm income by offering farmers higher commodity prices than other markets, processing value-added products for farmers, or allowing a single farmer to add value to their own farm products.
- Increased Access to Markets - This category includes projects that will create or expand a market for Tennessee farmers or forest landowners, including reducing miles that farmers must transport their products to market or creating a new market entirely. 
- Increased Capacity - This category includes projects that will expand the capacity of an existing agricultural, food, or forestry business, including their production or processing capacity or the number of employees.
- Agricultural Innovation - This category is appropriate for entrepreneurs who wish to market a new technological innovation with the potential to impact Tennessee agriculture or the forestry industry by creating efficiencies in production, reducing costs, etc.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

- Application Scoring
- Metrics
- Frequently Asked Questions

Trees

Due to limited funding, projects usually will not receive more than $499,999 in AEF support. Applicants will not be awarded more than 25% of their project budget. Businesses may apply for AEF funding over multiple rounds but will not be eligible for AEF funding if they receive a total of $1 million from the program.

Interested landowners should contact their local Area Forester to determine eligibility and complete the planning process prior to sign-up. Sign-ups occur four times throughout the year.

Tennessee Department of Agriculture

This program promotes sustainable forestry on family forestland by providing cost-share incentives for long-term forest investments that deliver multiple resource benefits such as timber, wildlife habitat, clean water, and soil protection. It operates under the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP).



Eligible participants include private individuals, joint owners, non-profit corporations (excluding wood-using industries), and Tennessee resident businesses. Ineligible parties: government entities, wood-using industries deriving more than 50% income from wood products, publicly-traded corporations, and commercial recreation operations. Minimum requirement: at least 10 acres of forestland, at least 5 contiguous acres, and at least 120 feet in width (riparian zones exempt).

Forest Management

Disaster Relief

Conservation

Emergency

Reimbursement ranges from 50% to 75% cost share, with a combined maximum reimbursement of up to $20,000 per year. Eligible practices include Forest Establishment (site preparation, planting hardwood/softwood seedlings, vegetation control, prescribed burning, subsoiling) and Forest Stand Improvement (competition control in young stands, pre-commercial thinning, crop tree release).

Complete the Proof of Claim form below and contact Evan Boyd (evan.boyd@tn.gov) to submit it.

Evan Boyd

The Tennessee Grain Indemnity Fund was created by an act of the Tennessee General Assembly in 1989 to provide protection for grain producers against the financial failure of grain dealers and warehouses for the purpose of promoting "the state's welfare by improving the economic stability of agriculture."

Tennessee grain producers who suffer losses due to the failure of a grain dealer or warehouse are entitled to compensation from the fund.



The Tennessee Grain Indemnity Fund was created by an act of the Tennessee General Assembly in 1989 to provide protection for grain producers against the financial failure of grain dealers and warehouses for the purpose of promoting "the state's welfare by improving the economic stability of agriculture."
Tennessee grain producers who suffer losses due to the failure of a grain dealer or warehouse are entitled to compensation from the fund.

A price safety net or insurance on a product that might face situational changes.

Insurance

Row Crops

Alfalfa

Amaranth Grain

Barley

Buckwheat

Canola

Corn

Einkorn

Emmer

Grains

Guar

Indigo

Kenaf

Khorasan

Millet

Mustard

Oats

Oilseeds

Peanuts

Quinoa

Rapeseed

Rice

Safflower

Sorghum

Soybeans

Speltz

Sugar

Sugar Beets

Sunflowers

Teff

Triticale

Wheat

Malting Barley

Sweet Corn

Grain Corn

Crambe

Sesame

Sunflower Seeds

Industrial Rice

Japonica Rice

Long Grain Rice

Medium Grain Rice

Sweet Rice

Wild Rice

Raw Sugars

Refined Sugars

Sugarcane

Durum Wheat

Hard Red Spring Wheat

- Tennessee Commodity Dealer and Warehouse Law
- Commodity Dealer Rules
- Commodity Warehouse Rules

Indemnity claim payments (per claimant) from the Tennessee Grain Indemnity Fund:

- Failure of a commodity dealer: eighty-five percent (85%) of a valid claim, to a maximum of $100,000.
- Failure of a warehouseman (a claimant who has surrendered or holds a warehouse receipt): one hundred percent (100%) of the claim.

Both are subject to a maximum of three and one-third (3 1/3) percent of the indemnity fund balance at the time of the failure. Approved claims are paid within 90 days of the commissioner's approval of a valid claim.

Interested landowners should contact their local FSA office to enroll in the Continuous Signup CRP program. Once the CP-22 practice is complete, FSA generates Form 848B certifying completion; this document, along with a signed AG0781 from TDA, must be submitted to Sam Marshall at Sam.Marshall@tn.gov.

Sam Marshall

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture partners with USDA FSA and the Tennessee Valley Authority to offer incentive payments for riparian forest buffer establishment. The program offers a one-time, per-acre incentive payment for riparian forest buffer practices when a landowner enters an easement agreement through FSA's Continuous Signup Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).



Landowners who implement Conservation Practice 22 (CP-22 Riparian Forest Buffer) and commit to maintaining the buffer for a minimum of 14 years qualify for participation.

Air Quality

Carbon Capture

Certification

Landscape

Regenerative

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Water Management

TDA provides a $3,000 per acre incentive payment with a cap of 5 acres per applicant/landowner. This supplemental assistance accompanies FSA's standard CRP financial support.

Cost-share sign-up periods occur four times throughout the year. Landowners should contact their local Area Forester to verify eligibility and complete planning before enrolling.

The Southern Pine Beetle cost-share program provides financial assistance to private landowners to help manage pine forests and make them more resilient to beetle infestations. Funds come from the USDA Forest Service and are administered by Tennessee's Division of Forestry.



Eligible landowners are private individuals, joint owners, non-publicly-traded corporations, and nonprofit organizations. Excluded are government entities, wood-using industries, publicly-traded corporations, and commercial recreation operations. Eligible forests are pine stands harvested or killed by Southern Pine Beetle, stands needing beetle suppression, and those requiring thinning or replanting; stands must have more than 50% of their basal area in pine prior to SPB attack.

Inputs

Both hazard-reduction and risk-reduction practices offer 50% reimbursement with per-acre maximums. Hazard reduction (reestablishment): site preparation ($30–$100/acre) and planting ($45–$75/acre). Risk reduction (existing stand improvement): competition control ($30–$50/acre), thinning ($55/acre), and beetle suppression ($250/acre, priority). Annual maximum is $20,000 per landowner across all practices combined.

The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) was established in 2005 to provide cost share dollars to agricultural producers for the purpose of making long-term investments in Tennessee farms and communities. Participation allows producers to maximize farm profits, adapt to changing market situations, improve operation safety, increase farm efficiency, and make a positive economic impact in their communities.



TAEP is a cost share program for individual agricultural producers. Agricultural associations, clubs, non-profits, and other similar groups are not eligible to apply. Applicant can apply for both Application A and Application B if eligible. 

- Application A offers a variety of cost share programs for agricultural producers involved in the production of cattle, dairy, goats/sheep, hay, commercial poultry, row crop (corn, cotton, soybeans, and/or wheat), and commercial swine. Programs include Dairy Solutions, Genetics, Hay Equipment, Hay Storage, Herd Health, Livestock Equipment, Livestock Solutions, Poultry Grower, Row Crop Solutions, Swine Producer, and Working Structures & Fence-line Systems. Producers must meet basic applicant eligibility and specific program requirements to apply. 
- Application B - Producer Diversification – offers cost share opportunities for agricultural producers involved in agritourism, fruit & vegetable, honey bee, horticulture, organics, and value-added products. Producers must meet basic applicant eligibility and specific program requirements to apply.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to review eligibility and program requirements prior to applying for cost share. Applicant must qualify for program selected at time of application to be considered for approval. Applicant is required to acknowledge the TAEP Applicant Agreement when submitting their application.

More info on applicant eligibility here.

Dairy

Livestock

Poultry

Butter

Cheese

Milk

Yogurt

Cattle

Pigs

Sheep

Specialty Livestock

Chickens

Cornish Hens

Ducks

Geese

Turkey

Cow Milk

Goat Milk

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Calves

Heifers

Steers

Bulls

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Emus

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Water Buffalo

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

Pullets

Roasters

Ducklings

Goslings

Poults

Toms

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

- TAEP 2025 Fact Sheet
- TAEP Overview 
- TAEP Timeline
- Applying for TAEP


A flat 50% cost-share reimbursement, capped per program area — so the practical question is which program you apply under.

- Rate: "The amount of payment is based upon 50% of expenses incurred for eligible program items up to the program maximum."
- 2025-2026 (FY26) reimbursement maximums: Dairy Solutions $10,000 · Genetics $3,000 · Hay Equipment $5,000 · Hay Storage $8,000 · Herd Health $4,000 · Livestock Equipment $3,000 · Livestock Solutions $6,000 · Poultry Grower $6,000 · Producer Diversification $12,000 · Row Crop Solutions $12,000 · Swine Producer $6,000 · Working Structures & Fence-line Systems $5,000.
- Some programs cap by unit, not by project: "Genetics features a maximum per item." "Hay Storage reimbursements are based upon a maximum per square foot." "Herd Health reimbursements are based upon a per head amount per item." "Permanent Working Cover (Working Structures) reimbursements are based upon a maximum per square foot."
- The cap is not guaranteed until you're approved: "Final program reimbursement maximums will be determined based upon overall demand for cost share funding and specified on approval documentation."
- You pay first. This is a reimbursement, so plan the cash flow. You may apply for both Application A and Application B if eligible, which is how a producer can exceed a single program's cap.
- 2026-2027 program details are due to publish September 1, 2026; the application window is October 1-7, 2026, online only.

List of Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) Funding Opportunities