Agricultural Enterprise Fund
The Agricultural Enterprise Fund supports innovative projects that boost farm income, market access, and agricultural advancement in Tennessee, funded by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Funder: Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Due Dates: October 10, 2026
Funding Amounts: Up to $499,999 per project (max 25% of project budget); lifetime maximum $1 million per entity
Summary: Supports innovative agricultural, food, and forestry business projects that enhance farm income, market access, business capacity, or agricultural innovation in Tennessee.
Key Information: Reimbursement grant; cannot be used for salaries or land purchases; Tennessee-based or Tennessee-focused projects only.
Description
The Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) is a competitive grant program administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Department of Economic and Community Development. Its goal is to drive economic growth, job creation, and innovation within Tennessee’s agricultural, food, and forestry sectors. The program funds new or expanding businesses, nonprofits, and local governments for projects that have a measurable positive impact on farm income, market access, business capacity, or agricultural innovation—particularly those benefiting Tennessee producers or forest landowners. Priority is given to projects in at-risk or distressed counties and those that demonstrate strong potential for local economic impact.
