Organic
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 Organic Producer?
For the purposes of TAEP, an eligible organic operation is involved in the production and sale of certified USDA Organic products (fruits, vegetables, and meats) and is aimed at increasing profitability of the operation.
• Organic fruit producer
• Organic viticulture producer
• Organic vegetable producer
• Organic farm fresh meat producer
Organic Applicant Requirements
Applicant must be certified USDA Organic or working towards certification to qualify. Certification must be current at time of reimbursement request.
Special Requirements – Organic
USDA Organic certification and current letter of compliance
What Organic 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 – Organic Sector:
• Priority is given to long-term projects that focus on improving or increasing production.
• Marketing projects that are long-term in nature may be eligible 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.
Fan – greenhouse
Fertilizer equipment
Field planter
Flail mower
Fruit stock
• Apples
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Peaches
• Grapes
• Raspberries
Gravel – geotextile preferred
• Foundation
• Propagation area
Greenhouse*
• Structure
• Hydroponic
• Overwintering
• Shade system
Heater – greenhouse
High tunnel/hoop house*
Irrigation
• Controller system
• Filter system
• Overhead/drip
• Pivot
• Pump
• Water level control
• Water storage tanks
Lighting – not for esthetics
• Greenhouse
Loading area/dock*
Mulch machine
Mulch layer/lifter
Packing facility*
Packing line equipment
Pond liner – irrigation system
Production line equipment
Roller crimper
Signs*
Sink – produce washing
Soil mixer
Spader
Spray equipment
Sprayer
Thermostat – greenhouse
Trellis materials
Walk in cooler*
Website development – no fees
Wood boiler
Advertising
Alcohol production equipment
Brochures
Building – storage
Certifications through TDA
Chemicals
Computers
Containers – bottles, pots, packaging
Drip Tape
Driveways, trails, paths, roads, etc.
Electrical consumption
Fees – membership
Fencing
Fertilizer
Fuel
Giveaway items
Golf cart
Growing buckets/pots
Hemp Projects
Insecticides
Labor – applicant
Landscaping
Land – clearing of
Livestock
Maintenance of existing structures, equipment, items
Meeting expenses
Merchandise
Motorized vehicles – ATV, forklift, tractor
Mower
Office equipment
Paper chain pots
Permits
Pesticides
Plants – liners/plugs
Product development
Property – purchase or debt payment
Renovations –of existing structures
Seeds – produce, nursery, flowers, etc.
Software
Soil/mediums
Store – general
Trade show expenses
Trailers – livestock
Used equipment
Water source creation – ponds/wells
Website – annual, domain, or hosting fees
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. |