Businesses that receive financial assistance through FARM are not required to repay the funds
Upper Cumberland – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) has announced that Winell Lee Lumber Co., a sawmill in Putnam County and Cheekee Greens Farms, LLC, a farmers Cooperative Project in Smith County are recipients of the second round of Tennessee Forestry, Agriculture and Rural Markets (FARM) cost share program.
The Upper Cumberland businesses are two of many receiving the assistance. The FARM cost share is aimed at stabilizing and strengthening the agriculture and forestry supply chain.
In this second round, $13.35 million was awarded to 18 agricultural, food, forestry and nonprofit entities in Tennessee.
“FARM funding has already positively affected Tennessee’s agricultural sectors and we are pleased to continue those efforts with the second of three rounds of funding,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “This time, we received 114 applications and funding requests exceeded $52 million. We thank Governor Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group for supporting the state’s farm and forest families.”
Each application was scored independently by three TDA staff members and then reevaluated by a larger group of TDA staff with agribusiness expertise. Scores were based on weighted criteria including the economic designation of the county of origin, operational increase expected from the completed project, anticipated impact on Tennessee’s food and fiber supply chain, readiness and evidence of financial capacity to complete the project and demonstration of collaboration with industry and community partners. An independent consulting firm assisted with the process by advising on the application, the scorecard, and data management.
Businesses that receive financial assistance through FARM are not required to repay the funds. Cost share dollars are part of the State of Tennessee’s American Rescue Plan funding through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.
The following businesses will also receive funding in round two:
- Blaze It Firewood Products, LLC, Benton County – Forestry Manufacturer
- Cardin Forest Products, LLC, Marion County – Sawmill
- Carl Alexander Forsbach, Hardin County – Grain Handling Operation
- Chester County Grain, Inc., Chester County – Grain Handling Operation
- Davis Farms, Lake County – Grain Handling Operation
- Dylan Hankins, Bledsoe County – Hay Producer
- Elizabeth Fugate, Claiborne County – Meat Processor
- Floyd A Miller, Carter County – Sawmill
- Gilliam Logging, Grundy County – Logger
- Harrogate Plant and Produce, Claiborne County – Specialty Crop Producer
- Healthy Flavors, Inc., Williamson County – Specialty Crop Producer
- Henosis LLC, Davidson County – Specialty Crop Producer
- Oak Grove Farms, Sumner County – Specialty Crop Producer
- Unaka Forest Products, Inc., Washington County – Forestry Manufacturer
- United Farm & Home Cooperative, Maury County – Farmers Cooperative Project
- Whisper Creek Farm, LLC, Meigs County – Meat Processor
Eligible applicants that did not receive funding this time may apply for the last round. That application period is March 1-31, 2024. For more information visit online at www.tn.gov/FARM or contact TDA’s Business Development Division at business.development@tn.gov.
Image by vecstock on Freepik.
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