Tennessee Department of Agriculture

09/01/2026

Happy 112th birthday to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry! 🎂🎉🌳

On this day, over a century ago, R.S. Maddox became Tennessee’s first state forester and gave rise to the Division of Forestry.

Our mission remains the same today as it was then: protect, conserve and enhance Tennessee’s forests.

Since the Division of Forestry’s birth, forest cover in Tennessee has doubled, going from 7 million acres to 14 million — covering almost 53% of the state today.

In that time, we’ve fought thousands of wildfires, lost some heroes in the line of duty and protected our forests, communities and fellow Tennesseans.

We are proud to serve this state and make investments today in our forests that will be appreciated by Tennesseans another century down the road.

Here’s to another 112 years!

09/01/2026

Interested in expanding your business? Check out the Exploring Agritourism for Your Farm: On-farm Insights tour on Sept. 17 to explore value-added marketing, on-farm retail, farm tours, special events and food service.

This event also fulfills one TAEP Producer Diversification educational requirement for the Agritourism, Fruits and Vegetables, and Value-Added sectors.

We are excited to announce an opportunity to visit and learn from three agritourism operations. The second Exploring Agritourism for Your Farm: On-farm Insights will take place on September 17, 2026, from 8 am to 6 pm CDT. This tour will involve three stops in Kentucky that will give insight into several aspects of agritourism, including value-added product marketing, on-farm retail, farm tours, special events and food service.
• Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese
• Chaney’s Dairy Barn
• Jackson’s Orchard

Participants will meet a bus in Cross Plains, TN (Sumner County). We will travel together to network and learn along the way with educational presentations and facilitated discussions.

Registration is $45 per person. Scholarships available for dairy producers. Lunch and ice cream will be provided. Registration is required for this event and space is limited!

This event will fulfill one Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) Producer Diversification educational requirement for the following Producer Diversification sectors: Agritourism, Fruits and Vegetables, and Value-Added.

Register now to save your space!

09/01/2026

The East Tennessee Nursery store is officially open! 🌱�

Ready to grow Tennessee's forests? The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry’s East Tennessee Nursery (ETN) is now taking seedling orders for the 2026-27 season. �

The ETN grows millions of native tree and shrub seedlings for reforestation, wildlife habitat, community forestry and conservation projects. Whether you’re planting 25 trees or 1,000, we've got the right species for your land.

Popular species offered by ETN include hybrid chestnut, white oak, shagbark hickory and shortleaf pine. In addition, ETN offers species suitable for streambank restoration, including buttonbush, water tupelo, baldcypress, swamp white oak and persimmon. �

Seedlings are available for sale to public, municipal, nonprofit and private organizations, as well as individuals.

To place an order, visit www.PlantTNTrees.org

08/31/2026

Beginning tomorrow, Tennessee landowners can apply for a new program designed to help preserve working farms and forests for generations to come.

The Preserving Land for Agriculture Now (PLAN) program supports the permanent conservation of agricultural and forest land through conservation easements while allowing continued farming and forestry activities.

Created through the Farmland Preservation Act, PLAN helps protect productive land, support Tennessee agriculture and forestry, and strengthen the long-term future of working lands across the state.

The first PLAN application period opens Sept. 1 and closes Jan. 8, 2027.

Applications must be submitted jointly by all parcel owners and a qualified easement holder.

Learn more about eligibility, program requirements and how to apply: https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/heritage/preserving-land-for-agriculture-now--plan-.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawUDyMlwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUZXakhVZXh0U29tSDFGeU5zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe7A52gWfCsmymMVMJHVgo4FyEs1UErhPX-5RQvTAqJVwXiadGqAmluLtt7P8_aem_4JNU8wdTz_kGrR6nqmcpLw

08/31/2026

We’re proud to see T. Wayne Williams representing Tennessee and sharing a message that reflects the heart of FFA — purpose, service and investing in what matters most.

Don't forget that only a few things truly matter. 💙

08/31/2026

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry’s (TDF) East Tennessee Nursery (ETN) will open for tree seedling orders at 9 a.m. ET on Sept. 1, 2026. Orders will be accepted through 5 p.m. ET March 15, 2027 or while supplies last. More than three dozen native hardwood, pine and shrub species will be available for purchase, including species suited to streambank restoration.

“ETN gives landowners, municipalities and organizations across the state an affordable way to restore and strengthen their rural and urban forests,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “Efforts to plant trees contribute to the resilience of our state’s forests and the stabilization and revitalization of streambanks heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene.”
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08/28/2026

Celebrating agricultural and economic progress in La Vergne!

Earlier this week, ProTrition Feed marked the opening of its new headquarters and distribution center, supported in part by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s AgTrack program. This three-year project is boosting feed quality and safety, increasing production capacity and supporting farmers in Tennessee and across the Southeast. For Tennessee grain farmers, the expansion also provides a stronger in-state market for their commodities while helping keep more agricultural dollars in Tennessee.

To date, AgTrack has awarded more than $33.5 million to 41 agricultural, food and forestry businesses investing and expanding in Tennessee. These investments help increase farm income, expand market access, build capacity and strengthen our agricultural supply chain.

TDA is proud to stand with partners who help keep agriculture Tennessee’s largest industry. See photos from the event: flic.kr/s/aHBqjD3qqP

The next AgTrack application deadline is Sept. 30 at 11:59 p.m. CT. Learn more and apply: tn.gov/agriculture/businesses/agtrack-cost-share-program.html

08/26/2026

Build your career while supporting Tennessee agriculture and forestry.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is hiring for two Nashville-based positions: Director of Business Development and Executive Administrative Assistant to the Commissioner of Agriculture.

Learn more and apply by Sept. 2, 2026.

08/26/2026

Last chance to register for the 2026 Forestry Jobs Camp!

High school students interested in outdoors-focused careers are invited to apply for Forestry Jobs Camp, a three-day, two-night experience that introduces campers to the world of forestry and natural resources. From forest management and wildland fire to forest industry businesses, students will learn about careers focused on natural resources management and wood products.

📆 Dates: Sept. 13-15, 2026
📍 Location: Natchez Trace State Park and State Forest
🧑‍💻 Eligible campers: High school students from public, private and homeschool backgrounds
💵 Cost: Free
‼️ Deadline to apply: Aug. 28, 2026

Campers can expect to visit a sawmill, spend time in the woods, interact with wildland fire equipment and learn from knowledgeable foresters, wildland firefighters and forest industry professionals.

To learn more and to apply, visit http://www.tnforestry.com/events/2026-jobs-camp, download the application and send it to mailto:[email protected].
Questions may also be directed to mailto:[email protected]

08/26/2026

NASHVILLE — A Nashville man has been indicted following an investigation by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Crime Unit (ACU) into the illegal cutting of trees within Savage Gulf State Park.

A Grundy County Grand Jury indicted Charles Trost on July 21, 2026, on one count of vandalism over $60,000 and under $250,000, a Class B felony. The indictment stems from allegations that dozens of trees were cut from state-owned property along the park boundary near Beersheba Springs to improve the view from a private home under construction.

The investigation began in April 2025 after Savage Gulf State Park officials contacted ACU Lead Agent Michael Whaley regarding suspected unauthorized timber cutting on state property. Investigators determined the trees had been cut and left on the ground. A consultant forestry firm later assessed the value of the damaged timber at $112,735.90.
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