Grants for Exclusive - see details - Agriculture

Forestry programs under the Southern Pine Beetle Initiative were developed to promote long term investments in Tennessee’s pine forests by providing cost share incentives to qualifying landowners. The Southern Pine Beetle Initiative (SPBI) was developed to encourage landowners to proactively manage their pine forest stands and make them more resilient to beetle infestations. Funds are provided by the USDA Forest Service and administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF).

Provide grants to address water quality impairments from nonpoint source pollution from agriculture and other sources. The ARCF provides cost-share assistance to Tennessee landowners to install Best Management Practices (BMPs) that reduce agricultural water pollution. This assistance is facilitated primarily through Soil and Water Conservation Districts although Resource Conservation and Development Councils, universities, and other agricultural associations may participate.

This program provides free pine seedlings to qualifying family forest owners in Tennessee to promote reforestation on recently harvested or converted lands.

Funding to offset eligibible adminstrative expenses incurred while providing low income households with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost. The Commodity Distrubtion section administers USDA's Food Distribution Program for schools and residential institutions and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. These programs provide nutritious, USDA-purchased food to children and low-income citizens while supporting American agricultural producers.

Funding for inspection of honeybee colonies. Since 1995, the Department of Agriculture has offered grants to local beekeeper associations for the inspection of honeybee colonies. Grant funds are used to pay bee inspectors selected by their association who are willing and qualified to inspect honeybee colonies in their geographical area. Tennessee has allocated $22,050 to be divided among local associations that request grants.