TUFF Cost Share Second Round Recipients Announced

NASHVILLE - Cost share funding will increase production for farms and forestry-focused small businesses and increase access to nutritious food in Tennessee's urban areas.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is announcing the second round of recipients for the Tennessee Urban Farm and Forestry (TUFF) cost share program.

"This cost share funding plays a crucial role in bolstering Tennessee's agricultural economy," Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. "Farm and forest businesses are using funds to increase production and enhance the well-being of our citizens, particularly in our TUFF-funded regions."

For this second round of TUFF funding, TDA received 11 applications and funding requests exceeded $1.62 million. TUFF is made possible by the State of Tennessee's American Rescue Plan funding through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.

Applications were scored independently by three TDA staff members and reevaluated by a larger group of TDA staff with agribusiness expertise.

Public health projects are evaluated based on the project's contribution to the communities it intends to serve, its effect on minority and underserved groups who have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the number of people it aims to impact. Other factors considered are the project's ability to sustain the work beyond the grant period, the readiness and financial capacity to complete the project, and collaboration with industry and community partners.

When assessing small business expansion proposals, scores are determined by the project's potential to increase the applicant's operational capacity, the number of jobs that the project will generate, its ability to sustain the work beyond the grant period, readiness and financial capacity to complete the project, and collaboration with industry and community partners.

An independent consulting firm assisted with the process by advising on the application, the scorecard, and data management.

The following businesses will receive funding in round two:

City of McMinnville, Warren County - Community Garden
Curvey Road Sawmill, Dickson County - Urban Sawmill
Granite Wheel Farm, Bedford County - Agritourism and Educational Farm
Landmark Training Development Company, Shelby County - Urban Farm
Memphis Tilth, Shelby County - Urban Farm Support and Education
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Davidson County - Urban Food Bank

Approximately $4 million has been set aside to be used to fund the TUFF program. Eligible applicants that did not receive funding this time may apply for the next round. That application period is April 1- 15, 2024. Additional information can be found online at www.tn.gov/TUFF.

Contact TDA's Business Development Division at [email protected] with questions.

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