Beginning Farmer Option

2024-2025 TAEP Application A

Applicant Responsibility

It is the applicant’s responsibility to review all TAEP program requirements prior to applying for cost share. Applicant must qualify for program selected at time of application to be considered for approval.

Applicant Eligibility
Educational Requirements
Reimbursement Requirements
Verification Requirements
Applying for TAEP

Important

If an applicant meets the minimum requirements for any TAEP Application A program, they are not eligible for the Beginning Farmer Option but may apply for the program for which they are eligible. Please review the TAEP Application A – Quick Reference Guide for overview of program minimum requirements.

To be considered a beginning farmer for the purposes of TAEP, the applicant must meet TAEP’s Beginning Farmer Option requirements.

Beginning Farmer Option – Print Version

Beginning Farmer Option

This program option allows applicants, who do not meet the current minimum requirements for any TAEP Application A program, the opportunity to participate with reduced minimum requirements in select programs (Genetics or Livestock Equipment). The purpose of this option is to help the beginning farmer applicant improve their operation with the goal of meeting TAEP minimum livestock/acreage requirements in the future.

TAEP allows applicants to participate in the Beginning Farmer Option for two consecutive years if they meet the Beginning Farmer Option requirements except for first time TAEP applicant for the second year.

Beginning Farmer Option Requirements

To qualify for the Beginning Farmer Option, applicant must meet basic TAEP eligibility requirements along with Beginning Farmer Option requirements.
•    First time TAEP applicant – 2024 will be the first year the applicant has applied for TAEP cost share funding.
•    Farming ten years or less – applicant must be actively involved in the production of livestock at time of application and must have started their farming operation after January 1, 2014.
•    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) unless the applicant began their operation in 2024. Applicant may be asked to submit a copy of their Schedule F prior to TAEP approval to verify their farming operation.
•    Educational Requirement – if applicant is approved for the TAEP Beginning Farmer Option, applicant will be required to complete the UT Farming Fundamentals or TSU New Farmer Academy certification to be considered for cost share reimbursement. Proof of UT Farming Fundamentals or TSU New Farmer Academy certification is required at time of reimbursement (not at time of application). Certificates issued 2021 or after will be accepted.
•    Reduced Minimum Requirements – the program minimum requirements are reduced for applicants qualifying for the TAEP Beginning Farmer Option. Eligible livestock include cattle and goats/sheep. Goats/sheep can be combined to meet minimum head requirement. Eligible programs include Genetics or Livestock Equipment.
Applicant must meet at least one (1) of the minimum livestock requirements for program applied for.
•    5-29 head of cattle – Genetics or Livestock Equipment
•    10-49 head of goats/sheep – Genetics or Livestock Equipment

Applying for the Beginning Farmer Option

•    Review TAEP Application A – Eligibility Requirements and TAEP Beginning Farmer Option requirements.
•    Qualifying applicants will choose TAEP Application A and select Genetics or Livestock Equipment.
•    If applicant is approved for the TAEP Beginning Farmer Option, applicant will be required to complete the UT Farming Fundamentals or TSU New Farmer Academy certification at time of reimbursement to be considered for cost share.