Financial Assistance

Many of the benefits produced by a well-managed forest benefit a wide range of people. For example, clean water benefits residents in a stream's watershed, wildlife habitat benefits local hunters, and decreased pest populations benefit neighboring forestland owners.

For this reason, a number of programs have been created by TDF and other agencies to provide financial assistance that supports private forest landowners who want to increase the production of these public benefits.

Financial assistance to landowners is available through a number of agencies and programs listed in the table below. Most programs require the landowner to contribute a share of the cost (known as a "cost share program").

Each agency has a different objective; some emphasize protection of water quality and others wildlife or renewable energy. The overall purpose is to encourage landowners to implement forestry practices.

The requirements to qualify for cost share programs vary. The Division of Forestry’s role in administering specific programs also varies from marketing other agency’s programs to 100% program administration. The table briefly explains current program opportunities. Contact your local Division of Forestry office for additional program information.

What Is a Cost Share Program?

A cost share program is a financial assistance program that helps forest landowners pay for certain approved conservation and management practices. These programs typically reimburse a percentage of the total cost for activities like tree planting, thinning, removing invasive species, or improving wildlife habitat. They are offered through state or federal agencies, such as the Tennessee Division of Forestry or the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

Tennessee Department of Agriculture & Division of Forestry Cost Share Programs

Looking for agriculture-focused programs? Visit the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program page for details.

Programs Administered by Partners

Additional Programs

Below is an overview of various state and federal landowner assistance programs that may fit your needs.

  Program Agency Incentive

1

 Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) USFS, TDF Allows TDF to work with forest landowners to evaluate their forests and develop short and long-term strategies to address landowner goals while addressing natural resource concerns. There is no fee to the landowner for these services.
2 TN Ag Enhancement Program (TAEP) TDF Provides landowners up to 75% cost-share to implement a variety of conservation strategies as identified in their forest management plan.
3 American Tree Farm System (AMTFS) TDF, TFA, AFF National forest landowner recognition and certification program that applies sustainable forest management strategies to ensure long-term forest conservation.
4 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) FSA, TDF Voluntary federal initiative that financially incentivizes landowners to convert environmentally sensitive agricultural land into vegetative or forest cover, enhancing environmental health and sustainability.
5 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) NRCS Provides financial and technical assistance to non-industrial forest landowners to integrate conservation practices and strategies in working forests. This program provides direct payments to landowners for implementing approved management strategies.
6 Wetland Reserve Program NRCS Voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring marginal lands from agricultural uses. This program is part of the larger Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).
7 Southern Pine Beetle Initiative (SPBI) USFS, TDF Provides financial incentives to forest landowners for implementing approved forest management strategies to reduce the threat of Southern Pine Beetle outbreaks.
8 Forest Legacy USFS, TDF A conservation initiative with a primary goal of protecting privately owned forest lands through conservation easements or land purchases, ensuring that these critical areas and ecosystem functions are protected from land use changes such as development and fragmentation.
9  Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) NRCS Provides technical and financial assistance to help landowners enhance their conservation efforts while managing their land sustainably. It supports ongoing and new conservation activities on agricultural and forest lands, encouraging producers to address natural resource concerns.
10 Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) FSA Aids forest landowners in restoring forests that have been damaged by qualifying natural disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, or severe storms. The program provides financial assistance to cover up to 75% of the costs associated with approved restoration activities.
11 Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) NRCS Helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands or protect working farms and ranches through conservation easements.
12 Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) NRCS Helps landowners restore, enhance and protect forestland resources on private and tribal lands through easements and financial assistance.
  AFF – American Forest Foundation
FSA – Farm Services Agency
NRCS – Natural Resources Conservation Service
TDF – Tennessee Division of Forestry
TFA - Tennessee Forestry Association
USFS - United States Forest Service