Ten local meat processors are among the 17 Agriculture Enterprise Fund (AEF) recipients recently announced by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Commissioner of Agriculture Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M.
“Now more than ever, we need agribusinesses to remain strong,” said Hatcher. “This round of AEF recipients includes the most meat processing projects in the program’s history. During a time when there is a nationwide demand for more meat processing capacity, we’re proud to strategically support impactful businesses that are critical to keeping the food, fiber, and fuel supply chain strong throughout Tennessee.”
Since launching in 2017, the Agriculture Enterprise Fund (AEF) has awarded nearly $4.3 million in funding to Tennessee agriculture businesses, leveraging more than $59 million in agriculture and forest product economic development. The tradition of helping agribusinesses make improvements to their operations remained during the most recent round of AEF recipients.
The AEF grants are awarded to launch or expand agricultural, food, and forestry businesses in Tennessee and supports Governor Lee’s priority of job creation and economic development. Grants are made to those who demonstrate a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity, or agricultural innovation. Priority is given to businesses located in distressed counties.
“Any way we can support economic development and job creation is a win for families, their communities, and the state,” Governor Lee said. “TDA continues to be responsive to the needs of farmers and foresters who are, in turn, responsive to consumer demand. For many of these businesses, AEF grants mean they will secure greater access to consumer markets which goes a long way to strengthen the economy.”
AEF grant recipients and projects announced include:
• A&H Custom Meat and Processing, Van Buren County – USDA-Inspected Meat Processing
• Bone Cave Timber, Van Buren County – Forest Products
• Clark Hardwoods, Houston County – Forest Products
• Cody Todd Farms, Henderson County – USDA-Inspected Meat Processing
• Fayette Packing Company, Fayette County – USDA-Inspected Meat Processing
• J&M Sawmill & Lumber, Jackson County – Forest Products
• Lightfoot Farm Market & Processing, Shelby County – Retail-Exempt Cut Shop
• Lost Mountain Meats, Greene County – Custom Meat Processing
• Mason Processing, Tipton County – Custom Meat Processing
• Miller Brother’s Sawmill, Carter County – Forest Products
• North American Caviar, Henry County – Asian Carp Processing
• Old Lincoln Meat Company, Lincoln County – Custom Meat Processing
• Potts Meats, Bedford County – USDA-Inspected Meat Processing
• Southern Natural Foods, Henderson County – USDA-Inspected Meat Processing
• Twine String Farms, Marshall County – USDA-Inspected Meat Processing
• Volner Sawmill, Decatur County – Forest Products
• White County Lumber Company, White County – Forest Products
The custom meat processing projects listed will process livestock for the exclusive use of the livestock owners. Like a retail exempt plant, the facilities will still be subject to periodic, risk-based inspection. USDA inspected processing projects process meat for retail sale and are required to have an inspector on site during this type of service.
For more information about the Tennessee Agriculture Enterprise Fund, visit www.tn.gov/agriculture or email Will Freeman at william.h.freeman@tn.gov.