Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement Program Information
Tennessee's dairy producers are eligible for cost share funds for long term investments for their operations through an appropriation for farm development in the state's budget. These cost share programs are designed to help producers maximize farm profits, adapt to current market situations and prepare for the future.
The TAEP has undergone changes since last year. Programs and eligible equipment have been added, and application periods and restrictions for different programs have changed. Producers interested in the TAEP are strongly encouraged to visit the TAEP website for a full list of requirements, restrictions and changes.
http://www.state.tn.us/agriculture/enhancement/index.html
Producer cost-share programs for this year include:
- Livestock Equipment & Handling Facilities (with dairy specific items)
- Livestock Feed Storage (with dairy specific items)
- Cattle Genetics
- Hay Storage
- Grain Storage
- Producer Diversification
- Feeder Cattle Incentive
To participate, all producers must meet basic eligibility requirements.
- Applicants must be Tennessee residents and operate a farm or agribusiness located in Tennessee.
- Applicants must be 18 years of age as of application date.
- Infrastructure must be built on applicant owned land located in Tennessee.
- Livestock Equipment and Handling Facilities can be located on leased land.
- Applicants must have demonstrated ability and financial capacity to complete the project.
- Applicants cannot combine projects with other applicants.
Livestock producers must also meet additional requirements.
- · Applicants with livestock must register their premise with TDA. Premise registration applications are available at local Farm Service Agency, UT Extension, Farm Bureau or Tennessee Farmers Co-op locations. Forms and instructions are also available online at http://www.state.tn.us/agriculture/enhancement/index.html
- Dairy producers must be Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified. Information on BQA classes is available by contacting the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association at 615-896-2333 or by visting www.tncattle.org
Specific programs may have additional eligibility requirements. Please refer to the TAEP website or application packet for complete details on each program.
Dairy producers that meet the above requirements are eligible for up to 35% cost share on most programs. Dairy producers that have completed 3 or more modules of the Tennessee Quality Milk Producer (TQMP) Program are eligible for up to 50% cost share on most programs. Producers that have not yet completed the TQMP Program can still apply for 50% cost-share as a "Master Producer" as long as they complete certification before they submit receipts for reimbursement. Plans are underway to offer TQMP courses for this fall. For more information on the TQMP Program, please contact your local UT Extension Agent or Kristy Campbell, Extension Dairy Specialist at 865-974-7289.
Application packets are available from your local County Extension office or can be downloaded from the TAEP website.
http://www.state.tn.us/agriculture/enhancement/index.html
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