Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation
07/22/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/22/2026 09:43
2026 Policy Development Backgrounders
Alpha-Gal
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is a serious allergy which can develop after certain tick bites. It causes allergic reactions to a sugar molecule called alpha-gal, which is found in products like beef, pork, lamb, venison, and dairy. The CDC reports that more than 110,000 suspected cases were identified between 2010 and 2022, but the true number could be near 500,000 cases. People like farmers or hunters who spend significant time outdoors may have increased exposure to ticks and thus ticks which carry alpha-gal. Most reported U.S. cases occur in southern, eastern, and central states where lone star ticks are common.
Data Centers
New data centers are being constructed rapidly as computational demands exponentially increase, yet we are still in a supply shortfall. Data centers can consist of thousands of acres, and developers often target farmland for future data centers. Most industries, like agriculture, rely on data centers for digital infrastructure, yet people are concerned about data center construction because of the strain on resources, potential environmental risks, and noise/light interruptions.
Fertilizer Response Policy: AFBF White Paper
Farm Bureau grassroots leaders and farmers are encouraged to review the policy considerations and analysis presented in this white paper and to adopt priorities, principles, and positions to guide the organization as policymakers consider new approaches to strengthen the fertilizer supply chain. Upon the development of new policies, the American Farm Bureau Federation will partner with fertilizer industry stakeholders, domestic producers, and members of Congress to advance farmer priorities on fertilizer supply security, domestic production, and input cost relief.
Indexing Tennessee's Fuel Tax
Tennessee's gasoline tax revenue and special petroleum collection for FY 2025-2026 is $935.6 million. Each penny of the 27.4 cents per gallon collection is worth $34.2 million per year. Road projects have grown increasingly in cost over time, thus making funding projects more difficult. This has resulted in conversations amongst lawmakers and stakeholders about "indexing" the fuel tax to inflation. Tennessee Farm Bureau policy currently opposes indexing the fuel tax.
Limited Liability for Agritourism, Equine and Bovine
Recent cases in both Virginia and Washington have held farmers liable for agritourism accidents despite posted signage indicating dangers according to state law. In both cases, failure to post signage at specific "agritourism activities" was the determining factor, as signage was only posted at entrances. Tennessee's current law (T.C.A. § 43-39) regarding agritourism is substantively equal to laws in Virginia and Washington, indicating that similar rulings could be found in Tennessee. Farmers are encouraged to ensure necessary signage is posted at all agritourism activities on sight to ensure compliance with state law as cases and statues are reviewed.
Marijuana and Medical Marijuana
Tennessee is one of only 10 states which currently does not allow for any medical use of cannabis/marijuana. This includes all border states to Tennessee except North Carolina. While the 2026 Executive Order to reclassify marijuana from Class I to Class III allows for greater federal research, the move does not significantly impact or change current Tennessee regulations. Any changes affecting Tennessee require consideration by the General Assembly as required by the recent Senate Bill 1603/House Bill 1972. Tennessee lawmakers have indicated that while restrictions will continue to be strict (and there is likely no path forward for recreational use), that recent federal guidance may be influential in creating medical exemptions in the state.
mRNA Vaccines
mRNA vaccines use messenger RNA, which occurs naturally in all cells, to teach cells how to make a protein which will trigger an immune response. Currently, none of the commonly used vaccines licensed by USDA for livestock utilize mRNA technology. SEQUIVITY, developed by Merck Animal Health in 2018, utilizes a similar RNA technology and is licensed for use for swine. Proposals to ban mRNA vaccines or designate meat from animals treated with mRNA vaccines on labels have been brought forth around the country in recent months. Specifically, legislation was brought in Tennessee in 2026 to ban the use of mRNA vaccines for livestock and humans. Tennessee Farm Bureau policy supports farmers' access to properly researched and industry-tested animal health technologies.
PFAS in Land-Applied Biosolids
Federal and state governments alike are working to better understand the impact, risk, and potential regulation needed to address broader PFAS contamination across industries and environments. Specific to agriculture, the land application of treated biosolids from wastewater management facilities has become a focal point for PFAS contamination concerns, leaving farmers and landowners vulnerable to heavy consequences. The risks associated with unintentional and unknown PFAS contamination on farms is not just a talking point - it has become the harsh reality for multiple farms across the country.
Right to Food
In 2026, the Tennessee General Assembly considered HJR780/SJR610, which would have proposed a Constitutional Amendment to add a provision establishing the right to food which includes the right to save and exchange seeds and the right to grow, raise, harvest, produce, and acquire and consume the food of their own choosing for their own nourishment, sustenance, bodily health, and well-being. Ultimately, the legislation failed to be considered in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee due to a lack of a second.
Soil and Water Conservation District Board Qualifications
Each Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has a 5-member board of local leaders, called supervisors, whose role is to work within their district to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and partner with farmer landowners to create conservation plans on their operations. For the purposes of voting for and nominating a SWCD board supervisor, a landowner is defined as "any person who holds legal or equitable title to any lands within a district" [TCA §43-14-202(6)]. This definition is very broad, with no minimum acreage requirement to be able to vote and sign a nominating petition or serve as a SWCD board supervisor.
Status of Solid Waste in Tennessee
Landfills in Tennessee are quickly running out of room, especially in Middle Tennessee. Efforts to expand and/or develop new solid waste infrastructure have been challenging due to growing community concerns and regulatory requirements. The rapidly growing population combined with lack of recycling infrastructure has put Tennessee behind other states in waste management. The Tennessee General Assembly has been addressing these issues through the Advisory Task Force on Solid Waste. Tennessee Farm Bureau policy supports efforts to control waste, especially through recycling, but raises concerns about urban garbage forced to rural areas, decreased property value adjacent to landfills, and proper landfill maintenance.
Tennessee Grain Indemnity Fund
The Commodity Dealer and Warehouse Law, commonly referred to as the Grain Indemnity Fund, is designed to protect commodity producers in the event of the financial failure of a commodity dealer or warehouseman and to ensure the existence of adequate funds so the commodity producers and claimants may be compensated for resulting losses. The enabling legislation passed in 1989 established that by referendum of producers, the opportunity to levy upon themselves an assessment of one cent per bushel on soybeans and one-half cent per bushel on all other grains. It further authorizes the collection of the assessments for the purpose of financing or contributing to the financing of the Tennessee Grain Indemnity Fund. In 2011, Farm Bureau led a legislative effort to increase the cap of the fund from $3 million to $10 million because of volatility in the grain markets at that time.
Update on Foreign Ownership Laws
"Foreign ownership laws" are laws which restrict certain foreign individuals, entities, or governments from acquiring, transferring, holding, or investing in United States real estate, specifically including private agricultural land located with the U.S. Many states, including Tennessee, have passed varying types of legislation regarding foreign ownership of land. This patchwork of laws has made tracking any updates difficult for stakeholders and landowners. In the summer of 2025, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins launched a National Farm Security Action Plan, focused around protecting borders, enhancing the farm safety net and domestic agriculture production and improving outcomes for American consumers. Tennessee has passed several pieces of legislation regarding the reporting of landownership by foreign entities and is mentioned as an "early adopter" of foreign ownership policy by USDA.
Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation published this content on July 22, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 22, 2026 at 15:43 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]