Volunteer State News

Nineteen businesses in Tennessee are set to benefit from the latest round of Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) awards, according to an announcement by Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M.

“The Agricultural Enterprise Fund is a vital resource for strengthening Tennessee's agricultural economy and fostering innovation in our rural communities," stated Commissioner Charlie Hatcher. "This program supports the growth of agricultural and forestry businesses, and we are proud to invest in these projects that have the potential to transform our state's agricultural landscape, especially in areas that need it the most.”

The AEF program encourages new or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses in Tennessee. It aligns with Governor Lee’s focus on job creation and economic development in rural areas. Grants are awarded to entities that demonstrate potential for significant impact on local farm income, market access, capacity increase, or agricultural innovation.

The recent recipients of AEF grants include Common John Brewing in Coffee County for its brewery operations; Curvey Road Sawmill in Dickson County and East Tennessee Wood Products in Blount County for forest products; Hankins Forest Products in Hardeman County; Haskew Farms in Marion County for livestock feed manufacturing; Henosis and Nashville Food Cooperative both located in Davidson County for food manufacturing and distribution respectively; Homestead Distilling Co. based out of Cumberland County as a distillery; Lexington Logging operating from Lawrence County focusing on forest products; Local Meats from Greene County involved in meat processing; Lynchburg Grain Co. based out of Moore County dealing with grain storage.

Additional recipients include Mainstreet Athens located at McMinn County operating a commercial kitchen; Mid-South Reproductive Services from Overton County providing agricultural technology solutions; Ron Sinyard DBA Pallets Ready also situated within Lawrence Country offering forest products alongside Shannon Meadows present within Knox country who operates both retail store along commercial kitchen facilities . Smokin Oaks Organic Farms nestled inside Robertson county has been recognized under category food manufacturing whilst Tennessee Valley Commodities positioned inside lawrence county pursues grain storage initiatives whereas The Honeytree LLC too belonging davidson deals primarily through food production mechanisms . Wilhoit farms having hamilton jurisdiction attends livestock feeding procedures .

Since its inception back during year 2017 , nearly $11.5 million worth funding was distributed among various tennessee-based agriculture-related ventures through aeg platform initiative which allows individuals seeking further information regarding same via www.tn.gov/aef webpage alternatively mailing correspondence directed towards agriculture.enterprisefund@tn.gov address provided therein.