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F. 2011 Producer Diversification

2012 Program Information Will Be Posted by April 1, 2012

Eligible Industry
Application Proposal
35%
Standard Producer
50%
Priority Area
Agritourism
Required for all
$10,000 Max
$15,000 Max
Fruits and Vegetables
Honey Bees
Organics
Aquaculture
Required for all
$10,000 Max
Not Available
Horticulture
Value-Added Products
Viticulture




PROGRAM GOALS: Encourage agricultural producers to expand or improve their operations through the production of  diversified agricultural products in these industry sectors: agritourism, aquaculture, fruits and vegetables, honey bees, horticulture, organics, value-added products and viticulture
Application Period: CLOSED
Reimbursement Deadline: May 1, 2012
PRIORITY AREAS- Special Requirements for 50% Cost Share
Agritourism

Must have attended two events from the list below prior to reimbursement deadline. One event MUST be an Agritourism Conference or Direct Marketing Sense Course.

  • Agritourism Conference ( 2009, 2010, 2012)
  • TDA Agritourism Workshop ( 2009, 2011 )
  • Center for Profitable Agriculture Direct Marketing Sense Course (2010, 2011, 2012)
  • Center for Profitable Agriculture Direct Farm Marketing Workshop (2011)
  • Agritourism Bus Tour ( 2009, 2010)
Priority cost share only applies to the purchase of the following items:
  • Brochures
  • Hand washing stations
  • Handicap accessible areas
  • Lighting – public areas
  • Maps
  • Parking areas – gravel or pavement
  • Pavilions – educational
  • Public address (PA) systems
  • Restroom facilities
  • Retail shelters
  • Safe way areas
  • Signs
  • Web site development

2011 Agritourism Program Criteria
Fruits and Vegetables

Must have a viable commercial need for a packing facility for food safety purposes. Wholesale growers that have markets demanding Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) food safety plans will be given priority.

Must have attended one of the following workshops from the list below prior to reimbursement deadline.

  • GAP Food Safety Workshops (2010, 2011, 2012)
  • GAP Mock Audits (2010, 2011)

Priority cost share only applies to the purchase of:

  • Produce packing facilities
  • Food grade materials needed for a GAP plan
  • Hand washing stations and restroom facilities for worker
2011 Fruits and Vegetables Program Criteria
Honey Bees
 Must complete the UT Master Bee Hobbyist Course prior to program reimbursement deadline.
2011 Honey Bees Program Criteria
Organics
 Must be USDA certified or working towards certification to qualify. Include copy of certification or letter from the certifying agency verifying that you are working towards certification. Producer must be certified at time of reimbursement. 
2011 Organics Program Criteria

Producer Diversification Guidelines
Application Review Criteria

  • The application questionnaire and budget must be typed in requested format.
  • Applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis by industry sector. TDA staff will conduct application reviews.
  • Only applications that are complete and include sufficient information will be considered for evaluation.
  • The application must merit financial support, clearly state objectives, provide a sound work plan and prove applicant expertise necessary to successfully complete project. An on-site visit or meeting may be required as part of the evaluation process.

Cost Share Project Criteria
Proposed activities for cost share must demonstrate significant potential for increasing farm income through the improvement or expansion of farm or agribusiness operations involving the production of diversified agricultural products. In addition, proposed activities must:

  • Be market driven and have a viable marketing plan.
  • Establish something new, not maintain on-going projects.
  • Meet all state and local food safety and regulatory requirements.
  • Produce long term benefits for the farm.
  • Encourage future farm growth.

Project Categories
The cost share project may include items from three categories of eligible expenses. The overall project may include items from one or more categories. Some elaborate projects include items from all three categories. Examples of eligible and ineligible items per category are listed below.

FARM INFRASTRUCTURE

Installations that facilitate the production of diversified agricultural products
Infrastructure must be built on applicant owned land located in Tennessee. Activities must have a life span of least three years. Labor is only reimbursable if quoted and performed by a contractor. Labor is not eligible for reimbursement if performed by the applicant or their employees.

Eligible Examples
Ineligible Examples
  • Greenhouses
  • Retail shelters
  • Pavilions
  • Public use considerations – hand washing stations, lighting, parking areas, restroom facilities, safe way areas
  • Clearing of land & general landscaping
  • Fencing
  • General maintenance/renovations
  • Barns, storage facilities, show facilities
  • Permits
  • Water source creation - ponds or wells
MARKETING

Promotional efforts that benefit the expansion or improvement of diversified agricultural operations. Emphasis is placed on activities that are innovative to the operation and/or have long-term benefits. It is recommended that marketing activities involve professional agencies/services. Trade shows are not eligible for funding unless they are part of a TDA program.

Eligible Examples
Ineligible Examples
  • Advertising - print, radio, television
  • Brochures
  • Direct promotions
  • E-commerce & Web site development
  • Maps
  • Signs
  • Community festivals
  • Give-a-way promotional items
  • General office equipment and supplies
  • Trade shows
  • Web site hosting fees
SPECIALTY EQUIPMENT

Specialized tools or equipment that aid in the production of diversified agricultural products. Items must have a life span of at least three years. Used equipment is not eligible.

Eligible Examples
Ineligible Examples
  • Automated harvesters
  • Chilling units/coolers
  • Custom crushers
  • Greenhouse heaters
  • Spray & irrigation equipment
  • General motorized equipment - ATVs, forklifts, golf carts, mowers, tractors, trucks
  • General Inputs - fertilizer, fuel, operational supplies, pesticides, seed stock
  • Used equipment
Examples of Eligible Cost Share Activity by Industry Sector

Agritourism:
• Brochures
• Hand washing stations
• Handicap accessible areas
• Lighting – public areas
• Maps
• Parking areas – gravel or  
   pavement
• Pavilions – educational
• Public address (PA) systems
• Restroom facilities
• Retail shelters
• Safe way areas
• Signs
• Web site development
• 2011 Additional program criteria

Honey Bees:
• Activity must encompass quality        expansion or improvement of
   pollination or honey production
• Apiaries must be registered with    the State of Tennessee
• Minimum requirements include
  three years beekeeping
  experience  and minimum of five
  existing colonies
Eligible Items:
• Apiary expansion
• Beehives
• Honey processing equipment
• Trailers for pollination service
• 2011 Additional program criteria

Value-Added Products Must utilize Tennessee grown agricultural products as primary source
• Cold storage
• E-commerce development
• Loading dock
• Retail shelters
• Packaging equipment
• Processing equipment
• Web site development
• 2011 Additional program criteria

Aquaculture
• Aerators
• Harvesting equipment
• Ponds (producing)
• 2011 Additional program criteria

Fruits & Vegetables:
• Apple/peach liners for orchards
• Blackberry/blueberry/raspberry stock
• Freezer
• Greenhouse
• Greenhouse fans and heaters
• Irrigation
• Packing facility
• Plasticulture equipment
• Row covers
• Sprayers
• Walk-in cooler
• 2011 Additional program criteria

Horticulture:
• Greenhouse
• Greenhouse fan and heater
• Irrigation system
• Packing building
• Packing line equipment
• Potting wagon
• Sprayer
• 2011 Additional program criteria

Organics:
• Flail mower
• Greenhouse
• Hoop house
• Irrigation
• Roller crimper
• Spader
• 2011 Additional program criteria

Viticulture:
• Chilling units
• Custom crushers
• Harvest bins
• Irrigation
• Mechanical harvesters
• Trellis materials
• Vine stock
•2011 Additional program criteria

Examples of Ineligible Items

• Arena – livestock
• Barn – livestock
• Building – lodging, show facility,
  storage
• Chemicals/Pesticides
• Concession stands
• Containers – bottles, pots
• Drip tape
• Electrical service
• Fees – membership, hosting,
  domain
• Fencing
• Fertilizer
• Fish stock – aquaculture
• Fuel
• Give-a-way items
• General inputs
• Ingredients
• Labor – applicant or employees
  of applicant
• Landscaping
• Land – clearing of

• Livestock
• Maintenance/renovations of existing
   structures
• Meeting expenses
• Merchandise
• Motorized equipment/vehicles
• Motorized amusement rides
• Office equipment/supplies
• Permits
• Plants
• Product development
• Property – purchase or debt payment
• Rent
• Salaries, wages, fringe benefits
• Seeds – produce, nursery, flowers,
• Software
• Trade show expenses
• Trailers – livestock
• Used equipment
• Water source creation –ponds/wells
• Wine making equipment
For additional information call 1-800-342-8206 or email producer.diversification@TN.gov
Eligibility
Requirements 		Application
Rules 		Application B
Materials 		Application B Instructions