Skip to Content

2012 Eligibility Requirements and Cost Share Options


    1. Applicant must be an individual Tennessee resident operating a farm located in Tennessee.
    2. Applicant must be at least 18 years old on application date.
    3. Applicant must have the ability and financial capacity to complete the project.
    4. Applicant must meet minimum livestock/acreage requirements for each program applied for, where applicable.
      • Head of livestock = maximum number of single type, regardless of sex or age, during the last 12 months.
    5. Applicant or a member of the applicant's immediate family must own land where permanent structures will be built.
      • Immediate family members include: spouse; children; parents; siblings; grandparents; grandchildren; great grandparents; and spouse's children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, great grandparents.
      • Livestock Equipment projects can be located on leased land.
      • See Hay Storage, Livestock Feed Storage, Grain Storage and Producer Diversification programs for more information.
    6. Premises registration is required for applicants with livestock on their operations.
      • Applicant name must match contact name (primary or alternate) listed on premises account to be eligible.
      • The premises account number is tied to the individual.
      • The premises id number is tied to the farm address.
      • An individual can have multiple premises id numbers if they have multiple farm locations.
      • The farm address listed on the cost share application must match the address for the premises id listed on the application.
      • Premises registration forms and instructions are available from TDA by calling 615-837-5120 or at www.tn.gov/agriculture/regulatory/livestock.html.
    7. Beef and Dairy cattle producers must have current TN Beef Quality Assurance Certification (BQA) at date of application.
      • BQA is a two-hour educational course on cattle management and care sponsored by the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association (TCA). BQA numbers must be renewed every two years and CURRENT at time of application. Contact TCA for additional information on BQA classes at 615-896-2333, info@tncattle.org, www.tncattle.org, your local UT Extension office.
    8. Swine producers must have current Pork Quality Assurance Plus Certification (PQA).
      • PQA Plus is a two-hour educational course on swine management and care sponsored by the Tennessee Pork Producers Association (TPPA). PQA numbers must be renewed every three years and CURRENT at time of application. Contact TPPA for additional information on PQA Plus classes at 615-274-6533 or tn pork@tds.net.
    9. Dairy producers (cattle, goats, and sheep) must be permitted by TDA to be eligible as a dairy.
      • Contact TDA Regulatory Services, Food and Dairy Division, at 615-837-5193 for permit information.
    10. Certifications permits and other priority requirements as specified by program must be completed by the applicant. No substitutions allowed.
      • This applies to BQA, PQA, dairy permit, premises registration, and master producer certifications.

Cost Share Options


  1. 35% Cost Share - Standard Producer
    • Each program offers cost share at this level.

  2. 50% Cost Share - Master Producer
    Genetics, Livestock Equipment, Hay Storage, Livestock Feed Storage, Grain Storage
    • Applicants must complete a course related to their operation to be eligible for 50% cost share
    • The course must be completed by the applicant prior to the program reimbursement deadline
    • Eligible Courses
      • Master Beef Producer (MBP)
      • Master Meat Goat Producer (MMGP)
      • Three or more Tennessee Quality Milk Initiative (TQMI) modules
    • Eligibility By Program
      • Cattle Genetics - cattle or goats/sheep producers taking MBP, MMGP or TQMI
      • Livestock Equipment - cattle or goats/sheep producers taking MBP, MMGP or TQMI
      • Hay Storage - cattle, goats/sheep, or hay producers taking MBP, MMGP or TQMI
      • Livestock Feed Storage - cattle or goats/sheep producers taking MBP, MMGP or TQMI
      • Grain Storage - not available

Producer Diversification

  • Applicants must attend certain events related to their operation or obtain required certification
  • Applicants must have participated in events from 2010 - 2013
  • All certifications must be completed by the applicant prior to the reimbursement deadline
  • Eligible Course
    • Tennessee Agritourism Conference
    • Agritourism Workshop
    • Direct Marketing Sense Course
    • Direct Marketing Sense Workshop
    • Tennessee Horticultural Expo
    • UT BeeMaster Course
    • UT Master Nursery Course
    • UT USDA Organic Certification

Find your local UT Extension office and inquire about educational course offerings by visiting utextension.tennessee.edu.
TDA offers partial scholarships for participation in UT Extension’s MBP, MMGP, MBH and/or TQMI programs. Funding is paid directly to UT.

  • Master Beef Producer Scholarship - $100
  • Master Meat Goat Producer Scholarship - $100
  • Master Bee Hobbyist Scholarship - $50
  • TQMI Module - $40 per session