Horticulture

Who is a Horticulture Producer?

For the purposes of TAEP, an eligible Horticulture operation is involved in the production of tree/plant stock for sale and is aimed at increasing profitability of the operation.

• Tree farms
• Nurseries
• Plant farms

Horticulture Applicant Requirements

Experience:
• The applicant’s business must produce the majority of their plants from seed or cutting to finished product.
     - Businesses who make the majority of their gross sales from plants purchased for resale are not eligible.

Consumer & Industry Services (Regulatory):
• Producers must meet all state and local regulatory requirements at time of application submission (Oct. 1 - 7, 2023).
• Applicants producing nursery stock, greenhouse plants, turf grass, etc. must be licensed by the State of Tennessee. Contact the Tennessee Department of Agriculture – Consumer and Industry Services at 615-837-5137 for more information on required permits.

Horticulture Producer Cost Share Opportunities

Standard Producer – 35% Cost Share - $12,000 Reimbursement Maximum

All approved applicants with Horticulture projects are eligible for 35% cost share. There are no special requirements for 35% cost share.

Master Producer – 50% Cost Share - $12,000 Reimbursement Maximum

To be eligible for 50% cost share, applicant must complete special requirements prior to the program reimbursement request deadline of August 1, 2024. The name registered for the special requirement must be the same name as the individual applying for cost share funding.

Special Requirements for 50% Cost Share

Horticulture Special Requirements – applicant must complete one (1) of the following educational courses to qualify for 50%

— UT Master Nursery Producer (preferred)
— UT Master Farm Manager
— UT Master Farm Health & Wellness
— TSU New Farmer Academy

• Applicant must have participated in special requirements from 2020-2024.

• Certificate must be in the name of the applicant applying for cost share funding.

• Applicants are encouraged to participate in the UT Master Nursery Producer course before taking other educational courses.

• Visit www.tnmasternursery.com or call UT TMNP Coordinator’s office at 865-974-7152 for more information about the UT Master Nursery Producer course.

What Horticulture Projects Qualify for TAEP?

The proposed activity/project must encompass quality expansion or improvement of the applicant’s farm and business. The eligible categories are: farm infrastructure, specialty equipment and marketing.

Competitive Projects – Horticulture:

• Priority is given to long-term projects that focus on improving or increasing production.
• Marketing projects that are long-term in nature are allowed but are not considered as competitive as those involving production.
• Only complete applications that include sufficient information will be considered for evaluation.

Approved applicants will receive a revised budget with reimbursement documentation. The revised budget indicates approved items per committee review, cost share allocation amount, and status of special requirement participation. All committee decisions are final.