TN Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF)
Key facts
- Deadline
- Closed Oct 10, 2026
- Award size
- Up to $500K
- Match ?
- Required: you cover 75% of the total project · Work out your budget and match
- How you get paid ?
- By reimbursement: you spend your own money first and get paid back later, often months later. Make sure you can cover the costs until then.
- Who can apply
- Farm or agricultural producer, Small business, Individuals, City or town government, County government, Nonprofit with 501(c)(3)
- Where
- Anywhere in Tennessee
Your share in dollars
For a $499,999 grant you'd put in about $1,499,997 of your own money or donated help, for a total project of about $1,999,996.
Based on the funder's stated 75% applicant share. Some programs lower it for distressed counties or accept donated help.
Before you apply: Tennessee state agencies usually require you to be registered as a supplier in the state's Edison system before they can pay a grant. Ask the program contact, and register early. Get-ready checklist
How this fits you
- Open to: Nonprofit with 501(c)(3)
- Available in Rutherford County
- Needs a match (see how much in the notice)
About this grant
Official notice: https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/aef.html · Printed from grantme.click/grants/0062a75f-00d7-436f-99ca-b82ca6d11659
Writing the need statement? Rutherford County facts with citations.
Similar grants open or opening soon
From other funders, about the same kind of work, for nonprofit with 501(c)(3) in Rutherford County.
- Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund (ARCF) Cost-Share – FY2027 · TN Department of Agriculture – Land and Water Stewardship Section · No deadline listed: see the official notice
- Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP: Agricultural Land & Wetland Reserve Easements) – FY2027 Tennessee · USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service – Tennessee · Due Nov 20, 2026 · 40 days left
- Agriculture Innovation Center Grant Program · Rural Business-Cooperative Service · Due Jan 31, 2027 · 112 days left
- Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program 2026 · Agricultural Marketing Service · Due Dec 4, 2026 · 54 days left
More from TN Department of Agriculture
- AgTrack Cost Share Fund · Due Dec 30, 2026 · 80 days left
- Preserving Land for Agriculture Now (PLAN) – conservation easement funding · Due Jan 8, 2027 · 89 days left
- Specialty Crop Block Grant · Next round: due about May 15, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Statewide Agricultural Farmers Market Grant Program (TAEP) · Next round: due about Jun 15, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) 2026-2027 · Next round: about Oct 1 – Oct 7, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Grants for Local Area Apiary Inspectors · No deadline listed: see the official notice