Special Requirements

To be eligible for 50% cost share, the approved applicant must complete special requirements prior to the program reimbursement request deadline (August 1, 2024). Special requirements focus on education and include conferences, courses, events, workshops, and specific certifications. The applicant must have participated in educational programs or recertification from 2020-2024. The name registered for the special requirement must be the same name as the individual approved for cost share funding.

Special Requirements by Sector

Agritourism

Option #1: Agritourism educational courses (2) – applicant must attend two eligible events
Option #2: UT Master Farm Manager, UT Master Farm Family Health & Wellness, or TSU New Farmer Academy

Fruit & Vegetable

Option #1: Fruit & Vegetable educational courses (2) – applicant must attend two eligible events
Option #2: UT Master Farm Manager, UT Master Farm Family Health & Wellness, or TSU New Farmer Academy
Option #3: GAP certification – applicant must provide certificate and current letter of compliance of time of reimbursement

Honey Bee

UT Master Beekeeping (preferred), UT Master Farm Manager, UT Master Farm Family Health & Wellness, or TSU New Farmer Academy

Horticulture

UT Master Nursery Producer (preferred), UT Master Farm Manager, UT Master Farm Family Health & Wellness, or TSU New Farmer Academy

Organics

USDA Organic certification – applicant must provide USDA Organic certification and current letter of compliance at time of reimbursement

Value-Added Products

Option #1: Value-Added educational courses (2) – applicant must attend two eligible events
Option #2: UT Master Farm Manager, UT Master Farm Family Health & Wellness, or TSU New Farmer Academy

Special Requirements List

This list features eligible courses and events from 2020-2024 for the Agritourism (Agri-T), Fruit & Vegetable (F&V), and Value-Added Products (VAP) sectors. The Special Requirements List will be updated as new eligible courses become available.

How to register for special requirement courses?

Contact your local UT/TSU Extension office to inquire about educational course (UT Master Farm Manager, UT Master Farm Family Health & Wellness, or TSU New Farmer Academy) offerings. Visit utextension.tennessee.edu or www.tnstate.edu/extension/.

The University of Tennessee Institute for Agriculture’s Center for Profitable Agriculture (CPA) administers the majority of the courses offered. Visit cpa.utk.edu and click on workshops under the educational events tab.

Cornell University offer GAPs Online Produce Safety Training course. Visit gaps.cornell.edu for more information.

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Workshop is held yearly. Visit https://vegetables.tennessee.edu/announcements-news-and-events/ for more information.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure courses are eligible for TAEP special requirements.