Tennessee Forest Establishment & Improvement Cost Share Program

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).

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).

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.