While many people were headed to their mailboxes to check for Christmas packages this past December, Joey and Jennifer Hendrickson of Holbrook Farms were anxiously awaiting their first Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) approval notice.
The Hendricksons are the third generation to farm in Lascassas on property owned by Jennifer’s family. From the 1960s to 2015, Holbrook Farms was a dairy operation milking registered Jersey cattle until the Hendricksons transitioned to a beef venture, tackling the challenge of converting the previous dairy infrastructure into an efficient arrangement for beef cattle.
“When we began the application process, we knew we needed a head gate,” says Joey. “The one that we had was older and wasn't safe.”
Today, the couple operates the farm with Jennifer’s parents, Bobby and Connie Holbrook. They work together to manage the herd of commercial cattle, which also includes Joey and Jennifer’s registered black Angus. Holbrook Farms also produces corn, soybeans, and hay. Additionally, the couple raises registered Katahdin sheep on site.
“Our farm has received several TAEP grants over the years, and we have seen the benefits,” says Jennifer. “This was our first time to apply ourselves, but we have seen how the program works and how advantageous it is for producers. So, this year, we decided to jump in and apply for cost share on a head gate and working system.”
The couple depends on Rutherford Farmers Cooperative for their expertise and advice regarding equipment and the TAEP program.
“My family has a multi-generation relationship with the Co-op. We count on John, Colin, and the team at Rutherford Farmers Co-op to get recommendations and share their expertise,” says Jennifer. “After working with them, we chose to go with the Arrowquip Q-Catch 54 series squeeze chute with head holder, sternum bar, and palpation cage.”
Joey is quick to recognize the contribution the funds have made to their operation.
“Getting the chance to make improvements to our farm with cost share options is something other states wish they had,” says the young farmer. “I am grateful the program has helped Holbrook Farms already, and I am excited to see how it helps us grow our operation.”
To be eligible for the most cost share dollars, the Department of Agriculture asks producers to take either Master Beef, Master Dairy, Master Farm Manager, Master Small Ruminant, or Master Farm Family Health and Wellness courses offered through the University of Tennessee Extension.
“I am a certified Master Small Ruminant Producer as well as a Master Farm Manager,” says Jennifer. “As an agriculture business major and crop insurance agent at Farm Credit Mid-America, a good portion of the course was a refresher, but much of it was new since many rules, regulations, and tax information have changed. Having farmers engage in agricultural education opportunities can be useful to them down the road as they look to expand their operations.”
TAEP has supported agricultural production projects through a cost share program for more than 17 years and has invested over $224 million in over 74,000 producer projects. In their latest study, the University of Tennessee Agri-Industry Modeling and Analysis Group estimates that each TAEP dollar generates $6.09 in local economies.
“Our customers comment every year about how much they appreciate this program,” says Colin Miller, livestock specialist for Rutherford Farmers Cooperative. “And we’re proud that they turn to us for help with many of their purchases.”
Tennessee farmers who are applying for cost-share assistance for the first time and have been farming fewer than 10 years, like the Hendricksons, may be eligible for the Beginning Farmer option under Application A to improve their operation.
Program purchases can be made from now until the program’s final reimbursement request deadline listed below. Participants should make purchases and submit reimbursement requests promptly to avoid processing delays.
For more information about TAEP, please visit www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/taep.html or reach out to your local Co-op.