Image Credit: Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture
The Center Square [By Jon Styf]-
Tennessee sent federal funding to five small agricultural businesses to help with production increases through the Tennessee Urban Farm and Forestry cost share program.
The program’s goal is to increase access to nutritious food in urban areas of the state.
“This cost share funding is essential for strengthening Tennessee’s agricultural economy,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher said. “Farm and forest businesses are utilizing these funds to boost production and improve the quality of life for our citizens, especially in the regions supported by TUFF.”
The state received 19 applications and $3.3 million in funding requests through the program.
The funding went to Mayfield Lumber Co. in Warren County for lumber storage building expansion, Dickson County for a regional agricultural center, Davidson County’s Friends of Mill Ridge Park to increase access to fresh food, Cocke County’s Demcor Inc to purchase mulch producing equipment, and to Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency in Wilson County for food storage building construction.
Tennessee set aside $4 million of American Rescue Plan funding for the TUFF program while it received more than $6.5 million in funding requests.
About the Author: Jon Styf, The Center Square Staff Reporter – Jon Styf is an award-winning editor and reporter who has worked in Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida and Michigan in local newsrooms over the past 20 years, working for Shaw Media, Hearst and several other companies. Follow Jon on Twitter @JonStyf.
One Response
So out of the five grants, only two are even remotely connected to providing food. Out of the counties listed how many are “urban”? not Warren County. Was the money well spent? possibly. But it we were misled as to the purpose of these grants. I do not like being lied to.