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

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.

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.

Tennessee Department of Agriculture

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.

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

List of Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) Funding Opportunities