Agricultural Enterprise Fund
Agricultural Enterprise Fund supports Tennessee agricultural, food, and forestry enterprises with processing, expansion, and innovation projects to raise farm income, expand markets, and create jobs.
This grant was recently updated
The AEF application deadline has moved from October 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Central.
Funder: Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Due Dates: January 10, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Central (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $499,999 and 25% of the project budget; 18-month reimbursement contract
Summary: Supports Tennessee agricultural, food, and forestry projects that increase farm income, market access, business capacity, or innovation.
Key Information: Reimbursed equipment and structures must serve the program’s intended purpose for five continuous years after purchase.
Description
The Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) supports job creation and economic development through agricultural development in Tennessee. Administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development, it funds starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses, nonprofits, local governments, and other eligible entities. Its focus is value-added and processing projects that benefit producers or forest landowners.
Projects may process farm products, offer farmers higher commodity prices, create or expand markets, reduce transportation distances, or expand business capacity. Agricultural innovation projects may bring technologies to market that improve production efficiency or reduce costs. Selection is competitive, with geographic priority for at-risk counties, distressed counties, and counties adjoining them. Livestock, row crop, and horticulture production expansions will not be competitive.
