Bill > HB1536

This bill establishes the "Tennessee Agricultural Innovation and Education Initiative" to support and advance agriculture in the state. The initiative, administered by the Department of Agriculture (referred to as "Department"), aims to promote statewide outreach and education about agriculture, improve digital access to agricultural learning and workforce resources, boost market opportunities for farmers and agricultural businesses, foster collaborations for future agricultural leaders, and position Tennessee as a leader in agricultural technology and innovation. The Department is authorized to partner with private, nonprofit, or academic entities to operate parts of the initiative, with specific criteria for selecting these partners, including demonstrated experience with agriculture-focused platforms, statewide educational programming, and support for small, minority, and beginning farmers. Importantly, the bill clarifies that private partners will retain ownership of their intellectual property and creative control over content, with the state only ensuring alignment with the initiative's goals and applicable laws. The initiative will prioritize benefits to Tennessee farmers, students, workforce participants, consumers, and communities, while allowing for regional collaboration when it enhances opportunities for the state. Program activities may include developing educational content, workforce training, digital literacy tools, e-commerce support for producers, youth engagement, marketing of state-grown products, and technical assistance for rural communities. An independent annual evaluation will assess the initiative's impact, and contracted partners will submit performance reports. The bill proposes a recurring annual appropriation of $2,000,000 to fund these activities, and the Department is encouraged to seek matching funds. The initiative will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1536&ga=114