Honey Bee

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 a Honey Bee Producer?

For the purposes of TAEP, an eligible Honey Bee producer must meet the minimum requirements of beekeeping experience and number of existing colonies as outlined below in Honey Bee Applicant Requirements.

Honey Bee Applicant Requirements

Experience:
•    Minimum experience of five (5) years and current ownership of at least fifteen (15) existing colonies is required to participate.
•    Minimum experience of five years (5) and current ownership of at least thirty (30) existing colonies is required to request cost share for construction of a TDA licensed and inspected Honey Processing Facility.
•    Applicant must report experience and number of existing hives in application proposal to be eligible.
    - If the applicant has assisted other beekeepers and mentors in working directly with bees, he or she may count this hands-on experience toward the requirements. The applicant must list the beekeeper’s name, contact information, and length of time spent assisting this beekeeper for this experience to be considered.
    - There is not a year requirement for ownership of hives but applicant must own required number of hives at time of application.
Consumer & Industry Services Requirements:
•    Applicant must meet all state and local regulatory requirements at time of application.
•    Apiaries must be registered with the State of Tennessee by the time of the application. Contact TDA State Apiarist at 615-837-5342 for more information.
•    If applicant packs or sells more than 150 gallons of honey per year, applicant must be licensed and inspected by the State of Tennessee as a food manufacturing facility. Contact TDA Consumer & Industry Services at 615-837-5153 for more information.

Special Requirements – Honey Bee

UT Master Beekeeping (preferred), UT Master Farm Manager, UT Master Farm Family Health & Wellness, or TSU New Farmer Academy

What Honey Bee Projects Qualify for TAEP?

The proposed activity must encompass quality expansion or improvement of pollination or honey production. The eligible categories are apiary expansion, honey processing equipment, pollination services, and honey processing facility.

Competitive Projects – Honey Bee Sector:
•    Priority is given to long-term projects that focus on improving or increasing production of honey, bees, or hive related products.
•    Only complete applications that include sufficient information will be considered for evaluation.

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.