Tennessee Forest Industry TN Agricultural Enhancement Program

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry administers cost share programs designed to support the health and sustainability of Tennessee's forests. These programs, operating under the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) and the Southern Pine Beetle Initiative (SPBI), aim to encourage long-term investment in forestland management by offering financial incentives to eligible landowners and forest industry operators. The SPBI receives its funding through the USDA Forest Service, while the TAEP is a state-led initiative demonstrating Tennessee’s ongoing commitment to its rural and urban forestry and agriculture sectors. The primary goal of both programs is to promote sustainable forestry practices on private family-owned woodlands, thereby enhancing multiple environmental and economic benefits such as timber production, wildlife habitat, water quality, and soil protection. Under these initiatives, forest industry professionals—including loggers and sawmill operators—can apply for a 50% reimbursement on approved expenses. The reimbursement cap is $20,000 annually per participant for each program. Enrollment is available year-round, but applicants are advised to complete eligibility and approval processes with their local Area Forester at least two months before implementation. TAEP’s Best Management Practices Cost Share specifically addresses environmental concerns related to timber harvesting. This includes support for the purchase of materials such as pallet mats, skidder bridges, and erosion control items like geotextile fabric and silt fences. These items must meet design specifications and be removed after harvesting. Each item has a set cost-share limit, such as $1,000 for wood skidder bridges and up to $3,500 for stream crossing stabilization materials. SPBI provides cost share support to reduce Southern Pine Beetle risk through practices like first commercial thinning. This is aimed at smaller, overstocked pine stands that are otherwise unprofitable due to location or size. Eligible pine stands must be between 12 and 25 years old with a basal area of at least 110 square feet per acre. Stand size eligibility varies based on proximity to a pine market, ranging from 5 to 35 acres. The cost share covers 50% of documented expenses, with a per-stand maximum of $1,800 and an annual cap of $20,000 per participant. To be eligible, participants must be timber harvesting companies, wood-using industries, or businesses deriving over 50% of gross income from processing standing timber in Tennessee. Applicants must also be Tennessee residents or businesses incorporated in the state. Ineligible applicants include private individuals, nonprofits, governments, and other groups not directly involved in wood-processing industries. For more information or to begin the application process, interested parties should contact the Tennessee Department of Agriculture at TN.Agriculture@tn.gov or by phone at (615) 837-5103. The programs are currently accepting applications, with no fixed closing date, and operate on a recurring annual basis.