A unique blend of beef cattle and nursery operations has propelled Warren County to the top of the state in agricultural funding, surpassing $10 million in cost-share investments this year.
Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program Supervisor Jan Keyser oversees the statewide cost-share initiative. The program began in 2005 to assist livestock and conventional farmers. Keyser said the program has expanded to include 12 different sectors, allowing producers in top-performing areas like Warren, Macon, White, and Overton counties to secure significant financial support for their operations.
“But also it’s also known as kind of like the nursery capital of the world, so there’s our strong nursery industry there,” Keyser said. “So within our ag enhancement program, producers have been able to take advantage of the producer diversification program along with all the other programs that we offer that have more of the livestock focus.”
Keyser said Warren County has completed over 2,400 projects this year to reach the top ranking in Tennessee. Beef cattle producers remain the primary customers for the program, utilizing funds for livestock handling equipment and hay storage facilities. The cost-share structure provides a 50 percent reimbursement up to a specific maximum, such as a $3,000 limit for livestock equipment.
“Like having a hay barn versus not having a hay barn can be a real game changer, especially when we undergo a drought which, you know, that’s just something that’s going to happen as the years go down or if there’s if it’s too wet a year and then hay production falls,” Keyser said. “So having that hay storage facility is super beneficial.”
Keyser said the program requires an educational component that helps farmers network and connect with university agricultural institutes. This requirement allows participants to receive a higher cost-share percentage for their long-term infrastructure investments.
“We have a tagline within ag enhancement, for every dollar the state contributes it generates $6.55 in economic activity within the local community,” Keyser said. “So that is like your barn builders, your local farm equipment supply company.”
Keyser said the initiative originally started with a small budget focused strictly on livestock equipment and genetics before expanding to include hay storage and row crop solutions. The continuous addition of new sectors has allowed rural communities to sustain their top businesses and keep local farm supply stores operational.
“And overall it’s just, you know, what they can actually do to grow their farm as far as equipment and infrastructure, that is that is just a game changer for many of them,” Keyser said.
Producers can apply for the next round of funding online at www.tn.gov/taep between October 1st and October 7th.