Tennessee Agritourism is a grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture that funds working farms in Tennessee seeking to diversify their operations through agritourism activities. Administered through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) Application B - Producer Diversification, the program offers 50% cost-share reimbursement up to a maximum of $12,000 for eligible agritourism program items.

Payment is based on 50% of documented expenses approved by committee review. Applicants must operate a working farm offering on-farm experiences related to agricultural production in Tennessee, and must complete eligible agritourism educational courses or approved academy programs. The application deadline is August 1, 2026.

All committee decisions are final.

2025-2026 TAEP Application B – Producer Diversification 50% Cost Share – Maximum Reimbursement - $12,000 The amount of payment is based upon 50% of expenses incurred for eligible program items up to the program maximum. Approved applicant will receive a revised budget with reimbursement documentation. The revised budget indicates approved items per committee review and cost share allocation amount.

All committee decisions are final. 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.

Reimbursement Requirements Verification Requirements Who is an Agritourism Producer? For the purposes of TAEP, an eligible Agritourism working farm offers on-the-farm experiences relating to production agriculture of food and/or fiber for a fee and is aimed at increasing profitability of the operation.

• Farm education (tours of production agriculture) • Farm activities (pick your own, fee-fishing) • Farm fun (corn maze, hay rides) • Farm purchases (retail sales of farm’s agricultural products) Special Requirements - 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 What Agritourism Projects Qualify for TAEP?

The proposed activity/project must encompass quality expansion or improvement of the applicant’s farm and business. The eligible categories are farm infrastructure, specialty equipment and marketing. Competitive Projects – Agritourism Sector: • Priority is given to projects focusing on long-term public use considerations which increase opportunities for profitability.

• Preference will be given to projects that focus on agricultural education and production over agricultural entertainment/other.

Examples of agricultural entertainment/other includes but is not limited to weddings, concerts, bed and breakfasts, farm stays, campgrounds, canoe rentals, trail rides, playgrounds, parks, event centers, concert venues etc. • Marketing projects that are long-term in nature are allowed but are not considered as competitive as those involving production.

• Only complete applications that include sufficient information will be considered for evaluation. Eligible & Ineligible Items – Print Version 2025-2026 TAEP Producer Diversification - Agritourism – Eligible Items & Requirements Eligible Agritourism Items • Not all eligible items are listed; please contact the Producer Diversification Coordinator for project eligibility or clarification prior to applying for TAEP cost share.

• All eligible items requested may not be approved due to the competitive evaluation of the program. • To ensure long-term investments, items requested must be able to meet the five (5) year verification period to be considered for cost share. * Include dimensions and designs with project proposal.

DVD – educational, not for resale Handicap accessible areas* Hayride wagon – safety or education Parking areas (new) – include dimensions and # of parking spots to be created • Geotextile preferred for gravel Public Address (PA) systems - safety or educational Signs* – to promote farm operation, provide directions, farm safety, or ag education; must provide a mock up of design with dimensions Website development – no fees Ineligible Agritourism Items Arena/Barn – livestock, storage Cash Registers/Point of Sale System Concession stands/kitchens Containers - bottles, pots, packaging Driveways, trails, paths, roads, etc. Maintenance of - existing structures, gravel projects, equipment, items, parking lots, etc. Motorized vehicles – ATV, forklift, tractor Property – purchase or debt payment Renovations of existing structures Replacing existing equipment, items etc. Salaries, wages, benefits Signage that is not farm related nor promoting ag education Store – for resale of goods Water source creation – ponds/wells Website – annual or hosting fees Wedding Pavilions and projects Applying for Producer Diversification Review Producer Diversification Overview for information on applying.

Reimbursement Request Deadline – August 1, 2026 Allowable purchase dates for Producer Diversification are from October 1, 2025 – August 1, 2026. All items, regardless of backorder status, must be purchased (paid in full or financed) by the program reimbursement deadline. Backordered items may be ineligible for cost share if not delivered to the farm by the program deadline.

Receipts must be in the name of the applicant approved for cost share funding. Quotes and purchase orders do not represent a purchase and are not considered receipts. Proof of payment may be requested to verify purchase.

See “Reimbursement Requirements” link at the top of the page for more information. Email producer. diversification@tn.

gov for additional information.