Giles County Soil and Water Conservation District

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Veterans Webinar Series
Register for a free webinar series for military veterans and transitioning service members on how to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prepare for a career in production agriculture. This webinar series is designed to provide information about USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher programs and resources for the military community.

Tuesday, April 21
2:00–4:30 p.m. Eastern

Farm Service Agency – Farm Loan Programs
Natural Resources Conservation Service - Regenerating Land, Empowering Veterans
Register Here - Webinar Registration - Microsoft Teams

Wednesday, April 22
2:00–4:00 p.m. Eastern

Rural Development - Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG)
Risk Management Agency – Beginners Guide to Crop Insurance
Register Here - Webinar Registration - Microsoft Teams

04/02/2026

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is
inviting farmers, agricultural partners and members of
the public to participate in the Tennessee Agricultural
Enhancement Program (TAEP) Listening Tour. TDA is
hosting listening sessions across the state to hear
directly from producers and stakeholders about what is
working, what could be improved and what
opportunities exist for the future. One of those tours
will be Thursday April 9, 2026 2-4pm at the TN Farm
Bureau 147 Bear Creek Pike Columbia, TN.

04/01/2026

USDA Announces Enrollment Period for Farmer Bridge Payments
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened the enrollment period for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, providing $11 billion in one-time bridge payments to row crop producers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs. The FBA enrollment period opened Feb. 23 and closes April 17, 2026.

These bridge payments are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and are administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Bridge payments are intended in part to aid farmers until historic investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), including reference prices which are set to increase between 10-21% for major covered commodities and will reach eligible farmers after Oct. 1, 2026.

How to Apply

Pre-filled applications will be available online to producers with a Login.gov account who timely filed their 2025 crop acreage report for eligible commodities. Producers who have a Login.gov account can access and submit their pre-filled application from fsa.usda.gov/fba. Additionally, producers can also request their pre-filled FBA application from their FSA county office.

April 17, 2026, is the deadline to submit completed FBA applications. Producers can complete FBA applications online or submit to their FSA county office.

03/31/2026

Conservation Compliance
Landowners and operators are reminded that in order to receive payments from USDA, compliance with Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions are required. Farmers with HEL determined soils are reminded of tillage, crop residue, and rotation requirements as specified per their conservation plan. Producers are to notify the USDA Farm Service Agency prior to breaking sod, clearing land (tree removal), and of any drainage projects (tiling, ditching, etc.) to ensure compliance. Failure to update certification of compliance, with form AD-1026, triggering applicable HEL and/or wetland determinations, for any of these situations, can result in the loss of FSA farm program payments, FSA farm loans, NRCS program payments, and premium subsidy to Federal Crop Insurance administered by RMA.

03/31/2026

AgTrack Cost Share Fund
To support Governor Lee’s priorities of job creation and economic development, the AgTrack Cost Share Fund was created as an incentive program to promote and encourage agricultural development in Tennessee.

This competitive based grant program awards funds to starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses; nonprofits, local governments, and other entities in Tennessee, or those whose project will be located in Tennessee. The program focuses on value-added and processing projects that benefit other producers or forest landowners. Farming projects such as livestock, row crop, or horticulture production expansions will not be competitive, but may be supported through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP).

Successful grant recipients must demonstrate a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity or agricultural innovation. Priority will be given to businesses located in at-risk counties, distressed counties, and counties adjoining at-risk or distressed counties.

Minimum project capital expenditure: $2 million
Maximum payout: $1 million

The next AgTrack application deadline will be June 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Central.

Creating understanding and appreciation for the forest and it’s products in Tennessee. 🌳

03/31/2026

DEADLINE IS TOMORROW. GET YOUR APPLICATIONS IN!!!!!

03/31/2026

Recipients of Livestock Market Improvement Cost Share Announced
Monday, March 30, 2026 | 09:30am
Tennessee Agricultural Enterprise Fund Recipients
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Agriculture announces the recipients of the Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) Livestock Market Improvement Initiative.

This initiative strengthens Tennessee’s livestock economy by supporting upgraded infrastructure, equipment and technology that enhance safety, animal welfare and operational efficiency at livestock markets. Eligible projects may include improvements to livestock handling facilities, pens, scales, loading areas, roofing and technology systems that support market operations.

“Livestock markets play a critical role in connecting Tennessee producers to our state’s livestock industry,” Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt said. “Through the AEF Livestock Market Improvement Initiative, we’re investing in the facilities and infrastructure that keep these markets safe, efficient and competitive.”

Award recipients are listed below in alphabetical order by county:

· Dickson Regional Livestock West, Carroll County
· Wilson Livestock Market, Cocke County
· Crossville Stockyard, Cumberland County
· Dickson Regional Livestock, Dickson County
· Trenton Regional Stockyard, Gibson County
· Pulaski Stockyard, Giles County
· Volunteer Stockyard, Greene County
· Knoxville Livestock Auction Center, Knox County
· Browning Livestock Market, Macon County
· Lewisburg Livestock Market, Marshall County
· Midsouth Regional Livestock Center, Maury County
· United Producers, Maury County
· Athens Regional Stockyard, McMinn County
· Smith County Commission, Smith County
· Warren County Livestock, Warren County

Questions about the Livestock Market Improvement initiative may be directed to:

· Rob Thomas, Livestock Specialist Supervisor at [email protected] or (901) 562-3658
· Jacob Tipton, Livestock Business Consultant at [email protected] (615) 925-0866

03/30/2026

Giles County Soil & Water Conservation District 2025 ANNUAL REPORT

Check out this US Letter designed by Giles County Soil & Water Conservation District.