Marshall County TN Soil and Water Conservation District

09/11/2026

⚠️TAEP 2026–2027 Updates: Quick Summary

The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) has made several changes for the 2026–2027 program year, including lower minimum requirements, new eligible programs and equipment, and expanded opportunities for producers.

🔸Hay producers: Minimum requirement drops from 100 to 50 acres of hay production (first cutting only). Eligible programs include Farming Solutions, Hay Equipment, and Hay Storage.
🔸Swine producers: Minimum requirement drops from 1,000 to 100 head, and the commercial producer requirement is removed. Eligible programs include Farming Solutions, Livestock Equipment, Livestock Fencing, and Swine Producer.
🔸Farming Solutions: Formerly Livestock Solutions, the program now includes additional sectors such as row crop, hay, and swine producers. Single bale wrappers are now eligible.
🔸Hay Storage: Eligible projects now include new structures and additions to existing structures.
🔸Herd Health: The previous lifetime limit of three reimbursements has been removed.
🔸Livestock Fencing: A new program for cattle, equids, goats/sheep, and swine. Permanent perimeter and cross-fencing are eligible, with reimbursement based on $2 per linear foot, up to the program maximum. It is also available through the Beginning Farmer Option.
🔸Livestock Equipment: New eligible items include automatic waterers, hay feeders, and virtual fencing.
🔸Poultry Grower: New eligible items include composters, incinerators, and whole-farm water sanitation/treatment systems.
🔸Swine Producer: New eligible items include composters and incinerators.

Reimbursement maximums: Final reimbursement amounts will be determined based on overall demand for cost-share funding and listed on approval documentation. The program's application period is Oct. 1-7, online only.

09/11/2026

Registration is now open for the Tennessee Meat Processors Summit!

Join us Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. CT at the 4-H/FFA Building, Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon. This summit will offer education, resources and networking for Tennessee meat processors, producers and industry partners.

Cost: Free
RSVP deadline: Sept. 5, 2026
Registration link: https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/tda_tn_meat_processors_summit_registration_form

09/11/2026

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has renewed the order implementing temporary animal import requirements in response to the ongoing detections of New World screwworm in Texas.

There is currently no indication of an outbreak in Tennessee. This proactive order focuses on education, early detection and prevention to help protect animal health.

New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that can affect warm-blooded animals, especially through open wounds. Animal owners, producers, veterinarians and transporters are encouraged to monitor animals closely, especially wounds and areas around the nose, ears, eyes, mouth and genitalia.

Watch for drainage, discharge, bleeding, swelling, discomfort, lethargy, isolation or unusual odors.

Suspected cases must be reported to the Tennessee State Veterinarian’s Office within 24 hours at 615-837-5120 or [email protected].

To read more about the order, visit: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/agriculture/animals/animal-health-resources/alerts.html

09/11/2026

Congratulations Terri!

Congratulations to our Family and Consumer Sciences Agent and County Director, Terri Orr! She received the FCS Agent Appreciation award from the Central Region FCE. We are lucky to have Terri here in Marshall County!

09/09/2026

District Technician job available.

09/02/2026

There is still time to register for the Animal ID class that will be held on September 17th at the Tory Creek Ag Center in Cornersville. To register, you can click the link below or contact Jonathan Johns at 931-359-1929 or email him at [email protected]. This class will provide Master Beef Credit for anybodying need to recertify in the coming year.

Link: https://tiny.utk.edu/Giles/MarshallCowID

09/01/2026

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.”
RELEASE IN COMMENTS

08/20/2026

Cow ID Class
The Giles and Marshall County Extension offices will be hosting a Cattle ID Workshop at the Tory Creek Ag Center at 3192 Yell Road, Lewisburg. This class will show demonstrations on Hot Iron Branding and Freeze Branding. The importance of having a form of permanent ID for your cattle will be discussed as well. We will also hear from our local Ag Crime Unit Officer about the importance of identification on livestock and some of the current issues they are seeing that impact local Ag Industries. There is no fee for this workshop, and it will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on September 17th. Also, if you are going to be up for a Master Beef renewal in 2026 or 2027, this class will be counted as credit toward your next certification. You can register for this class by contacting Jonathan Johns at 931-359-1929 or by signing up at the link below.

Sign-up Link: https://tiny.utk.edu/Giles/MarshallCowID

08/19/2026