Are You Eligible for the TN TAEP Program?
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 producer program. Let’s review the eligibility updates and criteria for the 2026-2027 cycle.
As you might expect, you do have be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the United States of America.
You must be residing in the state of Tennessee.
You must be an adult, legally defined as 18 years or older.
Applicant must have filed a Federal IRS Schedule F (Form 1040), Profit or Loss from Farming, within the last two years (2024 or 2025).
Applicant will not be required to submit a copy of their Schedule F at the time of application. However, applicant may be asked to submit a copy of their Schedule F prior to TAEP approval to verify their farming operation. If your operation does not file a Schedule F, please contact TAEP about alternate documentation (Schedule C or Schedule K) to verify farming status.
Applicant must be operating a farm in Tennessee. To operate a farm means to share in the expenses, profits, and/or management of farm production.
Only one individual involved in the farm operation can apply for TAEP Application A.
A diversified farm with multiple species of livestock, crops, and/or multiple locations is considered a single operation regardless of tax filings or organizational structure. Therefore, if two or more individuals participate in the operation of the farm, only one individual is eligible to apply for TAEP Application A cost share.
Agricultural associations, clubs, non-profits, and other similar groups are not eligible to apply.
The TN TAEP program application has moved to online only. You will need a working email to register and apply which also means internet access and a capable electronic device.
You can only apply to one program and you will need to meet one of the minimum requirements. Additionally, each producer program has a list of eligible master courses. You will need to be certified in one of them.
| TAEP Application A | |
| Program | Eligible Master Courses |
| Genetics | Master Beef Master Small Ruminant Master Dairy Master Farm Manager Master Farm Family Health & Wellness Master Forage Program Master Horse Program |
| Hay Equipment | |
| Hay Storage | |
| Herd Health | |
| Livestock Equipment | |
| Farming Solutions | |
| Working Structures And Fence-Line Systems | |
| Dairy Solutions | Master Dairy Master Farm Manager Master Farm Family Health & Wellness Master Forage Program |
| Row Crop Solutions | Master Row Crop Master Farm Manager Master Farm Family Health & Wellness |
| Poultry Grower | Master Commercial Poultry Master Farm Manager Master Farm Family Health & Wellness |
| Swine Producer | Master Farm Manager Master Farm Family Health & Wellness |
| Beginning Farmer Option Genetics Or Livestock Equipment | UT Farming Fundamentals TSU New Farmer Academy |
| TAEP Application B | |
| Program | Eligible Master Courses |
| Agritourism | Master Farm Manager Master Farm Family Health & Wellness TSA New Farmer Academy |
| Fruit & Vegetable | |
| Value-Added Products | |
| Honey Bees | Master Beekeeping Master Farm Manager Master Farm Family Health & Wellness TSU New Farmer Academy |
| Horticulture | Master Nursery Producer Master Farm Manager Master Farm Family Health & Wellness TSU New Farmer Academy |
Contact your local University of Tennessee or Tennessee State University extension office to learn more about educational course offerings.
|
University of Tennessee |
utextension.tennessee.edu |
|
Tennessee State University |
tnstate.edu/extension |
Get Ready to Apply
The 2026-2027 TAEP application period is October 1-7th for cost-share funding.
With so many program options and eligible cost-sharing items, you could get assistance for more than just agricultural buildings. Visit the TAEP website for more details if you’re interested in cost-sharing for something other than a building. Here are the program requirements for the four producer programs that offer cost-sharing for buildings:
In addition to the basic requirements and the master certificate, you will also need to meet one of these minimum program requirements:
In addition to the basic requirements and the master certificate, you will also need to meet one of these minimum program requirements:
In addition to the basic requirements and the master certificate, you will also need to meet one of these minimum program requirements:
In addition to the basic requirements and the master certificate, you will also need to meet one of these minimum program requirements:
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