Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program

Find more information on this page about: TAEP Information, Applications, Beginning Farming Option, Eligible Programs, Important Dates, and FAQ’s.

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.

In order to qualify for Ag Enhancement, participants must complete the educational requirements. There are a variety of options for the program as educational programs that meet the TAEP requirements. Not all educational programs are offered through each county office.

More than $224 million has been invested in 74,619 producer projects from 2005 through 2021. Each TAEP dollar generates $6.09 in local economies.

The annual application period is October 1-7, 2023. New application materials will be available mid-August 2023. Please note Hay Storage and Hay Equipment rotate each program year. Hay Equipment will be offered in 2023-2024. Approval notifications are scheduled to be mailed mid-December. Program purchases can be made starting October 1, 2023 and must be completed by the program’s final reimbursement request deadline. Participants are encouraged to make purchases and submit reimbursement requests in a timely manner to avoid processing delays at deadline time. Payments are based upon expenses for eligible program items.

Application links below will be available on October 1st, 2023.

Application A

Programs include: Dairy Solutions, Herd Health, Genetics, Row Crop Solutions, Hay Storage, Hay Equipment, Livestock Equipment, Livestock Solutions, Working Facility Structures, Poultry Grower, and Producer Diversification.

Beginning Farming Option

This program option allows beginning farmers who do not meet the current minimum requirements for any TAEP Application A program the opportunity to participate with reduced minimum requirements. The beginning farmer applicant must meet basic TAEP eligibility requirements (p. 6) unless otherwise specified below.

The purpose of this option is to help the beginning farmer applicant improve their operation with the goal of meeting minimum livestock/acreage requirements in the future. TAEP allows beginning farmers to participate in the Beginning Farmer Option for two consecutive years if they continue to meet Beginning Farmer Option requirements.

IMPORTANT: If a beginning farmer currently meets the minimum requirements for any TAEP Application A program, they are not eligible for the Beginning Farmer Option. However, they may apply for the program for which they are eligible.

*Requirements for the Beginning Farming Option are to complete the Farming Fundamentals course. You can register for the class here*

More information about parameters of the program can be found here

Eligible Master’s Programs

You can access the listing of Master Programs here and find the ones available in Williamson County.

2022-2023 Important Dates and Deadlines

Event	Deadline
2023 Application Period	October 1-7, 2023
Approval Notifications – to be mailed	Mid-December 2023
Reimbursement Packets – to be mailed	January 2024
Decline Funding Deadline – Livestock Equipment	March 1, 2024
Reimbursement Request Deadline – Livestock Equipment	April 1, 2024
Decline Funding Deadline – Genetics	May 1, 2024
Reimbursement Request Deadline – Genetics	June 1, 2024
Decline Funding Deadline – Dairy Solutions, Herd Health, Hay Equipment, Livestock Solutions, Permanent Working Structures, Row Crop Solutions, Poultry Grower, Producer Diversification	July 1, 2024
Reimbursement Request Deadline – Dairy Solutions, Herd Health, Hay Equipment, Livestock Solutions, Permanent Working Structures, Row Crop Solutions, Poultry Grower, Producer Diversification	August 1, 2024

Q: What is Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program or TAEP?
A: TAEP is a cost share program for Tennessee’s agriculture community. 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. The program is administered through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Q: How much is the cost share program?
A: Qualifying participants can receive up to 50% cost share on eligible items. There is a different maximum reimbursable amount for each category.

Q: What type of items are eligible for cost share?
A: A list of qualifying items can be found here https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/taep/producer.html . Common items not eligible are: tractors, flatbed trailers, equipment sheds, perimeter fencing, and feed.

Q: Are minimum qualifications to participate based on the size of operation?
A: Yes and no. There is a minimum requirement for most programs. Beef is 30 head (Ex: 15 cows with 15 calves), small ruminant 50 head, row crops 100 acres, hay 100 acres. Other specific qualifications can be found here https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/taep/producer.html Producers not meeting the minimum requirements may qualify under the Beginning Farming option.

Q: What is the Beginning Farming Option ?
A: This program is designed for producers and operations that do not quite meet the minimum requirements. This program has a maximum participation of two years verses the lifetime (if maintaining eligibility) of the traditional option. Funding for this option is at the same levels as the regular program. All the parameters can be found under the Beginning Farming option. First year participants are required to take the “UT Farming Fundamentals” class to be eligible for reimbursement. The class takes place traditionally in January.

Q: How do I qualify for TAEP?
A: Qualification is completed by taking one of the qualifying Master’s programs. For the Master Beef program, having an up-to-date Cattlemen’s membership, and completing the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) class is required.

Q: How is all of this accomplished?
A: Enrolling and completing the Master’s programs triggers certification. By enrolling in the Master Beef program, the participant is subsequently signed up for the Cattlemen’s membership and BQA. There are no requirements for the other Master series. Farming Fundamentals is required for the Beginning Farming option

Q: What is Beef Quality Assurance?
A: BQA is a nationwide initiative by the beef industry to make sure that producers are raising cattle in an environmentally sustainable and humane way. Additionally, making sure the beef industry is providing a product that meets the needs of today’s consumer. This is a one hour class integrated into the Master Beef program.

Q: How often do I have to recertify?
A: The Master’s programs are good for three years. The Master Beef program and BQA certifications are both good for three years. The Cattlemen’s membership is an annual renewal, but not required to apply for TAEP. The Cattlemen’s membership is only required the year Master Beef and BQA recertification is needed.

Q: Can I apply for TAEP if I do not do the program or BQA that year?
A: Yes, as long as have completed both within the last three years.

Q: When is the application period for TAEP?
A: The application period opens every year on October 1st and closes October 7th. Late or early applications are not accepted.

Q: Can I purchase items prior to the October 1st application date and still get reimbursed?
A: No, absolutely no purchases prior to October 1st are eligible for reimbursement.

Q: My Master program is not completed until after the October 1st deadline. Am I still eligible for the program?
A: Yes, as long as the program is completed by the reimbursement deadline for the corresponding producer program.

Q: What is the total cost to qualify for the program?
A: Cost is dependent on specific Master’s program.

Q: Where can I find more Frequently Asked Questions?
A: https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/taep/faq.html

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Matt Horsman
Extension Agent