Agritourism
2024-2025 TAEP Application B – Producer Diversification
50% Cost Share – Maximum Reimbursement - $12,000
The amount of payment is based upon 50% of expenses incurred for eligible program items up to the program maximum.
Approved applicant will receive a revised budget with reimbursement documentation. The revised budget indicates approved items per committee review and cost share allocation amount.
All committee decisions are final.
Applicant Responsibility
It is the applicant’s responsibility to review all TAEP program requirements prior to applying for cost share. Applicant must qualify for program selected at time of application to be considered for approval.
Applicant Eligibility
Educational Requirements
Reimbursement Requirements
Verification Requirements
Applying for TAEP
Who is an Agritourism Producer?
For the purposes of TAEP, an eligible Agritourism working farm offers on-the-farm experiences relating to production agriculture of food and/or fiber for a fee and is aimed at increasing profitability of the operation.
• Farm education (tours of production agriculture)
• Farm activities (pick your own, fee-fishing)
• Farm fun (corn maze, hay rides)
• Farm purchases (retail sales of farm’s agricultural products)
Special Requirements - Agritourism
• Option #1: Agritourism educational courses (2) – applicant must attend two eligible events
• Option #2: UT Master Farm Manager, UT Master Farm Family Health & Wellness, or TSU New Farmer Academy
What Agritourism 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 – Agritourism Sector:
• Priority is given to projects focusing on long-term public use considerations which increase opportunities for profitability.
• Preference will be given to projects that focus on agricultural education and production over agricultural entertainment/other. Examples of agricultural entertainment/other includes but is not limited to weddings, concerts, bed and breakfasts, farm stays, campgrounds, canoe rentals, trail rides, playgrounds, parks, event centers, concert venues etc.
• 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.
• Not all eligible items are listed; please contact the Producer Diversification Coordinator for project eligibility or clarification prior to applying for TAEP cost share.
• All eligible items requested may not be approved due to the competitive evaluation of the program.
• To ensure long-term investments, items requested must be able to meet the five (5) year verification period to be considered for cost share.
* Include dimensions and designs with project proposal.
DVD – educational, not for resale
Hand washing stations
Handicap accessible areas*
Hayride wagon – safety or education
Lighting – public areas
Parking areas (new) – include dimensions and # of parking spots to be created
• Gravel or pavement
• Geotextile preferred for gravel
Pavilions - Educational
Public Address (PA) systems - safety or educational
Restroom facilities*
Retail shelters*
Safe way areas*
Seating
Security camera system
Signs* – to promote farm operation, provide directions, farm safety, or ag education; must provide a mock up of design with dimensions
Tables
Tents
Website development – no fees
Advertising
Alarm/security systems
Arena/Barn – livestock, storage
Bed & Breakfast projects
Brochures
Building – storage
Building – show facility
Cash Registers/Point of Sale System
Computers
Concession stands/kitchens
Containers - bottles, pots, packaging
Driveways, trails, paths, roads, etc.
Electrical consumption
Fees – membership
Fencing
Flyers - promotional
Fuel
General Inputs
Giveaway items
Golf Carts
Hemp Projects
Landscaping
Land – clearing of
Livestock
Maintenance of - existing structures, gravel projects, equipment, items, parking lots, etc.
Meeting expenses
Merchandise
Motorized vehicles – ATV, forklift, tractor
Motorized rides
Office equipment
Permits
Playground equipment
Printing
Product development
Property – purchase or debt payment
Renovations of existing structures
Replacing existing equipment, items etc.
Salaries, wages, benefits
Signage that is not farm related nor promoting ag education
Software
Store – for resale of goods
Trade show expenses
Trailers – livestock
Used equipment
Water source creation – ponds/wells
Website – annual or hosting fees
Wedding Pavilions and projects
Reimbursement Request Deadline – August 1, 2025
Allowable purchase dates for Producer Diversification are from October 1, 2024 – August 1, 2025.
All items, regardless of backorder status, must be purchased (paid in full or financed) by the program reimbursement deadline. Backordered items may be ineligible for cost share if not delivered to the farm by the program deadline.
Receipts must be in the name of the applicant approved for cost share funding.
Quotes and purchase orders do not represent a purchase and are not considered receipts.
Proof of payment may be requested to verify purchase.
See “Reimbursement Requirements” link at the top of the page for more information.
| Email producer.diversification@tn.gov for additional information. |