Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP)
TAEP 2025-2026 GUIDE
TAEP 2025-2026 GUIDE
Did you know that you can get cost-sharing for up to 50% on specific agricultural buildings through a government funded initiative called the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP)?
The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) is a state-funded initiative designed to support and improve agricultural operations in Tennessee. Established in 2005, TAEP provides cost-share funds to farmers and producers for various projects aimed at enhancing farm profitability, efficiency, and sustainability. These projects can include improvements in areas like livestock equipment, hay storage, cattle genetics, row crops, and more.
The program is managed by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and has been instrumental in helping Tennessee farmers modernize their operations, adopt new technologies, and increase their overall competitiveness. TAEP funds can be used for a wide range of purposes, including purchasing equipment, building infrastructure, and implementing conservation practices.
The program operates on a cost-share basis, meaning that farmers must provide a portion of the funding for the project, with TAEP covering the rest. The level of cost-share assistance can vary depending on the type of project and the specific requirements of the program.
Note: Imagery below may not depict TAEP-approved buildings
Part of the Hay Storage Program
Part of the Working Structures Program
Part of the Livestock Solutions Program
Part of the Producer Diversification / Agritourism Program
Part of the Producer Diversification / Agritourism Program
TAEP offers several producer programs that cover a variety of resources for farmers. Here are the four that specifically assist with cost-sharing for buildings:
You will need to meet one of the requirements for cattle, goat, sheep, or hay in addition to the certification.
Minimum of 30 head of cattle
Minimum of 20 head of equids
Minimum of 50 head of goats / sheep
Minimum of 100 acres in hay production
Masters Certification in Qualified Program
50% cost-sharing up to $7,000
Ryan Betzelberger
hay.storage@tn.gov
615-837-5382
A
You will need to meet one of the requirements for cattle, goat, or sheep, in addition to the certification.
Minimum of 30 head of cattle
Minimum of 50 head of goats / sheep
Masters Certification in Qualified Program
50% cost-sharing up to $4,000
Ryan Betzelberger
working.structures@tn.gov
615-837-5382
A
You will need to meet one of the requirements for cattle, goat, sheep, or hay in addition to the certification.
Minimum of 30 head of cattle
Minimum of 20 head of equids
Minimum of 50 head of goats / sheep
Masters Certification in Qualified Program
50% cost-sharing up to $6,000
Rachel McKee Taylor
livestock.solutions@tn.gov
615-837-5277
A
Masters Certification in Qualified Program
50% cost-sharing up to $12,000
Jan Keyser
producer.diversification@tn.gov
615-837-5346
B
You must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the U.S.
You must be an adult, at least 18 years or older.
You must be residing in Tennessee.
You must have a working farm in Tennessee and filed a Federal IRS Schedule F (form 1040) within the last two years.
You must meet at least one of the minimum requirements for your chosen program.
You must have a working email, internet access, and an electronic device to apply.
Want to learn more about your eligibility and what the requirements are for the TAEP programs?
From the application moving completely online to both Hay Equipment and Hay Storage producer programs being available – last year had a lot of changes! All changes from last year have carried over to this year, but there are some additional changes for the 2025-2026 program.
Make sure you’ve reviewed them if you’re a seasoned applicant as it may affect you for this upcoming program.
Make sure you have all of your necessary information like a working email address and permit numbers, as well as a device with internet access.
Visit the TAEP website and click the big, red Apply Now button October 1st-7th to fill out your online application and submit it for cost-share.
Keep an eye on your email for a confirmation email and the other on your mailbox for an approval notification mid-December.
Yay! If you’ve been approved for the cost-share, let’s get started on your TAEP building!
Whether your farm is rapidly growing or you’ve been diligently working the fields for years on a generational property and your current barns are wearing the proof, there are multiple options to help you secure agriculture financing for a new a building. Agriculture financing can come from various sources, including banks, government programs, and private investors...
If you’re looking for ways to fund your next agricultural building project, the Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement Program offers cost-share opportunities for farmers through their producer programs. There are several types of buildings you could get cost-sharing for from hay barns to commodity sheds, but there are some basic eligibility requirements for the TN TAEP program as well as each ...
If you’re looking for ways to fund your next agricultural building project, the Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement Program offers farmers opportunities to improve their operations through cost-share support for approved building projects. New infrastructure can enhance your farm’s productivity, the animal welfare, and overall efficiency. Here are the buildings ...
October 1, 2025 – October 7, 2025
Approval notifications will be sent mid-December in the mail.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has permanently moved to an online-only application system. Paper forms (mailed, faxed, or hand-delivered) are no longer accepted. Applications must be submitted through the TAEP online portal during the open window (October 1-7, 2025).
For the 2025-2026 TAEP cycle, you can only start building or making purchases after your official approval notification is received (scheduled for mid-December 2025). Anything bought, built, or installed before approval will not be eligible for reimbursement.
For all of the producer programs that include buildings, the deadline is August 1, 2026. If you’ve applied to another program, you will need to visit the TAEP website for confirmation. Reimbursement packets, which include detailed instructions and required forms, will be mailed to approved applicants in January 2026.