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Basic Eligibility Requirements for TAEP Programs

2010 information will updated in April

 
  • Must be Tennessee residents and operate a farm or agribusiness located in Tennessee.
  • Must be 18 years of age as of application date.
  • Infrastructure must be built on applicant owned land located in Tennessee.                                                               Livestock equipment can be located on leased land.
  • Must have the ability and financial capacity to complete the project.
  • Applicants cannot combine projects with other applicants.

Additional Requirements for Livestock Producer

2010 information will updated in April

Premises Registration: applicants with livestock must register their premises with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA). Applicants can register their livestock premises at Farm Service Agency, UT Extension, Farm Bureau or Tennessee Farmers Co-op locations. Premises registration forms and instructions are available at http://www.tennessee.gov/agriculture/regulatory/tpis.html or by calling 615-837-5189.

Important – the applicant’s name must match either the primary or secondary name listed on premises account.

Standard Producer (35% Cost Share)

2010 information will updated in April

Beef and Pork Producers must have current Beef Quality Assurance Certification (BQA) and/or Pork Quality Assurance Certification (PQA). Poultry and Goat/Sheep producers are excluded from this requirement.

BQA is a two-hour educational course on cattle management and care sponsored by the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association (TCA). Contact TCA for additional information on BQA classes at 615-896-2333, info@tncattle.org, www.tncattle.org or your local UT Extension office.

PQA is a two-hour educational course on swine management and care sponsored by the Tennessee Pork Producers Association (TPPA). Contact TPPA for additional information on PQA classes at 615-274-6533 or tnpork@tds.net.

Important – the applicant’s name must match the name listed on BQA or PQA certification to be eligible for cost share.

Master Producer (50% Cost Share)

2010 information will updated in April

Producers must complete the educational class related to their operations; Master Beef Producer (MBP), Master Meat Goat Producer (MMGP) or three or more Tennessee Quality Milk Initiative Program (TQMI) modules prior to program reimbursement deadline. Master Producer certification is available for:

• Cattle Genetics – cattle producers taking MBP or TQMI
• Livestock Equipment – cattle or goats/sheep producers taking MBP, MMGP or TQMI
• Hay Storage – cattle, goats/sheep, or hay producers taking MBP, MMGP or TQMI
• Livestock Feed Storage – cattle or goat/sheep producers taking MBP, MMGP or TQMI
• Producer Diversification – beekeepers taking Master Bee course

Visit www.utextension.utk.edu to find local UT Extension information. You can also find class schedules listed in the TAEP News.

Important – the applicant’s name must match the name listed on class certification to be eligible for 50% cost share.

The TDA offers scholarships for participation in UT/TSU Extension’s MBP, MMGP and/or TQMI programs.
Payments will be paid directly to UT/TSU.
• Master Beef Producer Scholarship - $100
• Master Meat Goat Producer Scholarship - $100
• Master Bee Scholarship - $65
• TQMI Module - $40 per session