Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program

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 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.

• Applying for TAEP

• TAEP 2025 Fact Sheet

• TAEP Overview 

• TAEP Timeline

• Applying for TAEP