TAEP Updates 2024-2025

TAEP Application & Program Information – Online Only

To increase program efficiency, the upcoming 2024 TAEP application process will be entirely online. Application and program information will only be available online at the TAEP homepage. The traditional application booklets will no longer be printed or available online. Paper application forms are no longer available to submit.

Online applications will be available as a live link (no downloading required) on this webpage during the application period (October 1-7). The application link does not exist within the TAEP Account Portal. It is not necessary to have a TAEP Account to apply.

Applicants will need the following to apply online:

·  Email address – applicant must have a working email address which is exclusive to the applicant and not utilized by other TAEP applicants. Applicant must be able to monitor email account for confirmation email and other correspondence related to cost share participation.

·  Internet access – applicant will need access to the internet to apply.

·  Electronic device – applicant will need access to a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone to apply. Computers are preferred over smartphones.

Proof of Applying

· Applicant will receive a confirmation email from taep.online@tn.gov if application is successfully submitted.

·  Check spam/junk folder if confirmation email is not received within 15 minutes of submitting application. Applicant can add taep.online@tn.gov to trusted contact list.

· Applicant is encouraged to save confirmation email as proof of applying.

Educational Requirement – Master Certification & Special Requirements

· Master Certification - Application A - approved applicants will be required to have a current eligible master certification at time of reimbursement - not at time of application - to be considered for cost share funding. Eligible master certifications are determined by program. Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training is now incorporated into Master Beef certification and is no longer required prior to applying. Cattle producers are encouraged to maintain their BQA certification.

· Special Requirements - Application B (Producer Diversification) - approved applicants will be 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 funding. Eligible special requirements are determined by program.

50% Cost Share

The amount of payment is based upon 50% cost share of expenses incurred for eligible program items up to the program maximum. The option of 35% cost share is no longer available.

Beginning Farmer Option
•    Qualifying applicants will be eligible for Genetics or Livestock Equipment.
•    Row Crop Solutions is no longer available under Beginning Farmer Option due to low participation.

Genetics
•    All bulls must have eligible GE-EPDs between October 1, 2024 and date of purchase.
•    All bulls will be reimbursed 50% subject to the $2,000 maximum.
•    Bulls must qualify under 1 of 2 bull type options: Balanced Trait/Maternal or Carcass Merit/Terminal.
•    Bulls that do not meet all eligibility requirements between October 1, 2024 and date of purchase will be denied cost share reimbursement.
•    Buyer must communicate with the seller prior to purchasing to ensure bull meets all TAEP eligibility requirements.

Hay Equipment
•    Hay Equipment minimum requirement has changed to hay production only.
•    Minimum requirement – 100 acres of hay production (first cutting only)
•    Acreage can be owned or leased in Tennessee.
•    Applicant may be required to list location of acres at time of reimbursement.

Hay Storage
•    Lifetime limit of three (3) reimbursements
•    Standalone center structure only – additions in the form of side sheds or extensions in length are not eligible
•    Minimum size 1,200 square feet
•    14 ft. eave height
•    Square footage is calculated post to post; overhang is not eligible in square footage calculation
•    New materials must be utilized in the construction of the barn.
•    Acreage can be owned or leased in Tennessee.
•    Applicant may be required to list location of acres at time of reimbursement.

Herd Health
•    Lifetime limit of three (3) reimbursements
•    Herd Health reimbursements are based upon a per head amount per item.
•    Approved applicant must have current eligible educational requirement at time of reimbursement even though reimbursements are based upon a per head, not a 50% cost share.

Livestock Equipment
•    New item: Rotary Cutter/Pasture Clipper – min. 8 ft.
•    Gates – added minimum purchase of (3)
•    Corral Panels (10 minimum purchase) – added “heavy duty” to the description
•    Trailer title – added additional explanation of title requirements.
    °   Livestock Trailer – min. 16 ft; at least one cut gate; must be titled (not tagged) in the applicant’s name at time of reimbursement; fees vary from county to county; title will indicate trailer is new regardless of model year; manufacturer’s certificate of origin is not considered a title.

Livestock Solutions
•    No-till pasture drill – reduced size from 10 ft. to 8 ft. working width; drill must have serial number to be eligible.
•    Hay wrapper – must be in-line only; single bale hay wrappers are not eligible.

Poultry Grower
•    Commercial growers
•    The following items have been removed:
    °   Motors
    °   Feed-line Gear Boxes
    °   Ventilation Fans – controllers were removed
    °   Cool Cell Watering & Ventilation Systems – controllers, cool cell pumps, sprinkler drops/spinners, pressure regulators, medicator pumps, injectors, and flush breather units were removed

Producer Diversification
•    Applicant must be an existing agricultural producer.
•    It is recommended to have at least three years of reported farm income to be considered a competitive applicant within Producer Diversification.
•    Applications are competitively evaluated by industry sector.
•    Priority is given to projects that focus on long-term use and on improving or increasing farm operation production.
•    To ensure long-term investments, items requested must be able to meet the five (5) year verification period to be considered for cost share.
•    2024 TAEP Producer Diversification Proposal Worksheet – see Producer Diversification Overview webpage to download and prepare prior to applying.
Infrastructure must be built on the farm.

Row Crop Solutions
•    No-till pasture drill – reduced size from 15 ft. to 12 ft. working width; drill must have serial number to be eligible.
•    Transport Auger – eligible as new equipment only due to verification issues.
•    Removed GPS as eligible item due to verification requirement of five years.

Swine Producer
•    Commercial growers
•    Swine producers with a retail meat business may be eligible under Producer Diversification (Application B) – Value-Added sector.

Working Structures & Fence-line Systems
•    Permanent Working Cover – the completed project must show:
    °   Livestock working equipment permanently installed in a functional layout under the cover
    °   Livestock access/movement from outside flowing into the covered crowding system area
•    Permanent Working Pen – pen must be permanent and all four (4) sides must be new construction