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.
More than $246 million has been invested in 80,860 producer projects from 2005 through 2022. Each TAEP dollar generates $6.55 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.
2023-2024 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 – Hay Equipment & Livestock Equipment | March 1, 2024 |
| Reimbursement Request Deadline – Hay Equipment & 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, Livestock Solutions, Poultry Grower, Producer Diversification, Row Crop Solutions, Swine Producer, Working Structures & Fence-line Systems | July 1, 2024 |
| Reimbursement Request Deadline – Dairy Solutions, Herd Health, Livestock Solutions, Poultry Grower, Producer Diversification, Row Crop Solutions, Swine Producer, Working Structures & Fence-line Systems | August 1, 2024 |
Online Applications
To increase program and resource efficiency, the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program is taking steps toward a fully online application process. The 2023 application process will still accept paper applications, but please be prepared for future years’ applications by doing the following:
- Locate a computer that you can access to upload information during the application period.
- Have an email address created. A working email account will be necessary for online applications and follow-up information.
- Inform your local extension agent of any assistance you will need with online submissions.