Applicant Eligibility

1. Citizenship

Applicant must be a citizen of the United States of America or lawfully present in the United States at time of application.

2. Age

Applicant must be at least 18 years old at time of application.

3. Tennessee Residency

Applicant must be a Tennessee resident residing in Tennessee at time of application.

Documentation, including a current Tennessee Driver/Identification license, may be requested to verify applicant has established residency in Tennessee.

4. Federal IRS Schedule F (Form 1040) Filing

Applicant must have filed a Federal IRS Schedule F (Form 1040), Profit or Loss from Farming, within the last two years (2022 or 2023).

Applicant will not be required to submit a copy of their Schedule F at the time of application. However, applicant may be asked to submit a copy of their Schedule F prior to TAEP approval to verify their farming operation. If your operation does not file a Schedule F, please contact TAEP about alternate documentation (Schedule C or Schedule K) to verify farming status.

5. Farm Operation Participation

Applicant must be operating a farm in Tennessee. To operate a farm means to share in the expenses, profits, and/or management of farm production.

Only one individual involved in the farm operation can apply for TAEP Application A.

A diversified farm with multiple species of livestock, crops, and/or multiple locations is considered a single operation regardless of tax filings or organizational structure. Therefore, if two or more individuals participate in the operation of the farm, only one individual is eligible to apply for TAEP Application A cost share.

6. Minimum Livestock/Acreage Requirements

Applicant must meet at least one of the minimum requirements of head of livestock or acres in production for program selected. Verification of minimum requirements may be requested prior to approval.

Head of Livestock = maximum number of single type, regardless of sex or age, at any one time during the last 12 months. Eligible livestock include cattle and goats/sheep. Goats/sheep can be combined to meet minimum head requirement.

Hay Acreage = acres of hay in production (first cutting only). Acreage can be owned or leased in Tennessee. Applicant may be required to list location (by county, control map, & parcel) of acres at time of reimbursement.

Row Crop Acreage = acres of row crop production of corn, cotton, soybeans, and/or wheat. Acreage can be owned or leased in Tennessee. Applicant may be required to list location of acres (by county, control map, & parcel) at time of reimbursement.

7. Educational Requirement - Master Certification

Approved applicants are required to have a current eligible master certification at time of reimbursement – not at time of application – to be considered for cost share reimbursement.

Eligible courses are determined by program.
Certificate must be completed by the approved applicant. No substitutions allowed.
Certificates completed 2021 or after will be accepted.
Applicant must submit copy of current certificate with reimbursement request.

1. Citizenship

Applicant must be a citizen of the United States of America or lawfully present in the United States at time of application.

2. Age

Applicant must be at least 18 years old at time of application.

3. Tennessee Residency

Applicant must be a Tennessee resident residing in Tennessee at time of application.

Documentation, including a current Tennessee Driver/Identification license, may be requested to verify applicant has established residency in Tennessee.

4. Federal IRS Schedule F (Form 1040) Filing

Applicant must have filed a Federal IRS Schedule F (Form 1040), Profit or Loss from Farming, within the last two years (2022 or 2023). 

Applicant will not be required to submit a copy of their Schedule F at the time of application. However, applicant may be asked to submit a copy of their Schedule F prior to TAEP approval to verify their farming operation. If your operation does not file a Schedule F, please contact TAEP about alternate documentation (Schedule C or Schedule K) to verify farming status.

5. Farm Operation Participation

Applicant must be operating a farm in Tennessee. To operate a farm means to share in the expenses, profits, and/or management of farm production.

Only one individual involved in the farm operation can apply for TAEP Application B.

A diversified farm with multiple species of livestock, crops, and/or multiple locations is considered a single operation regardless of tax filings or organizational structure. Therefore, if two or more individuals participate in the operation of the farm, only one individual is eligible to apply for TAEP Application B cost share.

6. Sector Requirements

Applicant must meet any additional requirements as indicated within the sector applied for.

7. Educational Requirement – Special Requirements

Approved applicants are required to have a current eligible master certification or special requirement equivalent for Producer Diversification at time of reimbursement – not at time of application – to be considered for cost share reimbursement.

Eligible courses are determined by approved sector.
Special requirements/master certification must be completed by the approved applicant. No substitutions allowed.
Special requirements/master certification completed 2021 or after will be accepted.
Applicant must submit copy of current certificate or indicate special requirement courses completed with reimbursement request.