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Find similar grantsAgricultural Enterprise Fund is sponsored by Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Grants to agricultural businesses and farmers for expansion, infrastructure improvements, or adding value to operations supporting rural development.
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Agricultural Enterprise Fund - TN Department of Agriculture Agricultural Enterprise Fund The Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) is an incentive program that supports Governor Lee’s priority of job creation and economic development by facilitating agricultural development in Tennessee. It is administered by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development.
The AEF awards grants to starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses; nonprofits, local governments, and other entities in Tennessee, or those whose project will be located in Tennessee. The program focuses on value-added and processing projects that benefit other producers or forest landowners.
Farming projects such as livestock, row crop, or horticulture production expansions will not be competitive, but may be supported through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) . Successful grant recipients must demonstrate a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity or agricultural innovation.
Priority will be given to businesses located in at-risk counties, distressed counties, and counties adjoining at-risk or distressed counties, and the AEF selection process is competitive. The minimum project cost has been eliminated. The next AEF application deadline will be April 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.
m. Central. Projects funded by the Agricultural Enterprise Fund must match the description of at least one of the following four categories.
Many projects will potentially match the description of more than one category and applicants should indicate so on their application. Increase in Farm Income - This category includes projects that will increase farm income by offering farmers higher commodity prices than other markets, processing value-added products for farmers, or allowing a single farmer to add value to their own farm products.
Increased Access to Markets - This category includes projects that will create or expand a market for Tennessee farmers or forest landowners, including reducing miles that farmers must transport their products to market or creating a new market entirely.
Increased Capacity - This category includes projects that will expand the capacity of an existing agricultural, food, or forestry business, including their production or processing capacity or the number of employees.
Agricultural Innovation - This category is appropriate for entrepreneurs who wish to market a new technological innovation with the potential to impact Tennessee agriculture or the forestry industry by creating efficiencies in production, reducing costs, etc. Applicants must be a Tennessee entity (i.e. agriculture, food, or forestry business, farmer, local government, or nonprofit in Tennessee) or have a project based in Tennessee.
Applicants must demonstrate that their project will increase farm income for local farmers, enhance access to agricultural markets, increase capacity of their business, or contribute to the agriculture industry through innovation. Applicants must be making an investment into the project. AEF funds may not be more than 25% of the project’s total budget.
Applicants must submit project updates to measure impact of the grant on the applicant as well as the local economy, and agree to work with the Department of Agriculture to track success of the project. Applicants must purchase at least 25% of any agricultural inputs from Tennessee producers.
This requirement may be relaxed when compliance would be impracticable – i.e. in times of drought, disease, etc. Applicants must utilize equipment and structures reimbursed with cost share funds for the intended purpose of the program for a minimum of five (5) continuous years from date of purchase. For more information, please email agriculture. enterprisefund@tn.
gov or call (615) 837-5160. Click Here for the AEF Application
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Agricultural businesses and farmers in Tennessee demonstrating rural development benefits Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates $10,000 - $50,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
Site Development Grant is a grant from Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) that funds governmental entities to prepare industrial sites for economic development and business attraction. Eligible projects include access road construction, utility line installation, property acquisition, grading, drainage improvements, and rehabilitation of publicly-owned industrial buildings. Awards reach up to $5,000,000 per project, with due diligence studies capped at $100,000. Sites must be publicly owned, at least 20 acres (10 acres in Tier 3-4 counties), and evaluated through Select Tennessee or affiliated certification programs. Applicants such as cities, counties, and industrial development boards must be located in counties meeting ThreeStar annual requirements. Deadline is March 26, 2026.
Historic Development Grant Program (Courthouse Round) is a grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development that funds the preservation and redevelopment of Tennessee's historic courthouses. More than $5 million was allocated in the most recent round to renovate and preserve these historically significant buildings. Applications are reviewed by TNECD Rural Development staff with assistance from the Tennessee Historical Commission and scored on community need, project need, and project impact. Eligible applicants are entities holding title or a lease to a certified historic courthouse in eligible Tennessee counties. Matching funding requirements vary depending on the county's tier designation.