Tennessee Farmers Invited to Help Guide the Future of Cost-Share Program

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is inviting farmers, agricultural partners and members of the public to participate in the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) Listening Tour, a series of public meetings designed to gather input on the future of one of the state's most impactful agricultural programs.

As TAEP continues to evolve to meet the needs of modern agriculture, TDA is hosting listening sessions across the state to hear directly from producers and stakeholders about what is working, what could be improved and what opportunities exist for the future.

"TAEP has invested in nearly 98,000 projects that helped Tennessee farmers grow, adapt and invest in their operations," Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt said. "As we look ahead, we want to hear directly from the people who can help guide improvements to TAEP and ensure that the program continues to support Tennessee agriculture in the most effective way possible."

Farmers, agricultural organizations and community members are encouraged to attend and share their experiences and suggestions on how TAEP can best serve Tennessee agriculture.

TAEP Listening Tour Dates and Locations

Friday, March 20, 2026
9-11 a.m. Central
West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
605 Airways Blvd.
Jackson, TN 38301

Thursday, April 9, 2026
2-4 p.m. Central
Tennessee Farm Bureau - Clyde York Conference Room
147 Bear Creek Pike
Columbia, TN 38401

Friday, April 10, 2026
12-2 p.m. Eastern
UT Eastern Region Extension Office
1801 Downtown West Blvd.
Knoxville, TN 37919

TAEP, created by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2005 and administered by TDA, provides cost-share opportunities to help farmers invest in improvements to their operations, diversify production and strengthen long-term agricultural sustainability.

More information about the TAEP Listening Tour can be found on the TDA Facebook page.