"Agri-Security" describes measures taken by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) to protect the state's food supply, environment and farm production from events that could be associated with acts of terrorism.  These threats include bioterrorism (animal and plant diseases) and direct threats to human health from food supply contamination or agricultural chemical and equipment misuse.

Tennessee agriculture generates $2 billion annually at the farm level, and has a total estimated impact of more than $53 billion per year, including more than 400,000 jobs.  Tennessee agricultural and forest products also account for 22 percent ($1.9 billion) of the state's export base.  A major disruption of Tennessee's agricultural economy would have significant national as well as international consequences with long term impacts on economic as well as human welfare.

TDA is committed to working with the state Homeland Security Office, local governments, agricultural organizations, producers, processors and dealers of agricultural products to protect public safety, reduce risks to agriculture, and minimize the impact of threats through emergency preparedness.