Title 43, Agriculture And Horticulture

Except as provided in § 70-8-203, the recognized annual planting and harvest seasons for the state extend from January 1 to December 31 of each year.

Unless otherwise prohibited by federal law, the owner of any animal that is subject to an inspection in this state for the purpose of determining compliance with any statutory or regulatory requirement shall be permitted to personally record such inspection by audiovisual means o…

The department of agriculture, in its role as the primary food manufacturing inspection agency for this state, shall be the primary inspection agency for grist mills that are located in this state.

(a) (1) It is the intent of the general assembly to preserve farmland and forestland in this state without limiting the ability of farmers and forest landowners to use their property for their agricultural pursuits. The general assembly intends to secure the economic, environment…

The commissioner of agriculture shall employ at least one (1) agricultural marketing specialist whose primary duty shall be the provision and coordination of such technical assistance, support, and encouragement as may be needed to promote and enhance development of Tennessee's e…

(a) The commissioner of agriculture shall employ at least one (1) production and marketing specialist whose primary duty shall be the provision and coordination of technical assistance, support, and encouragement needed to promote and enhance the statewide development of nursery …

(a) The definition of agriculture as set forth in subsection (b) shall be applicable to the term wherever it appears in the code, unless a different definition is specifically made applicable to the part, chapter, or section in which the term appears. (b) (1) “Agriculture” means:…

(a) The definition of livestock as set forth in subsection (b) shall be applicable to the term wherever it appears in the code, unless a different definition is specifically made applicable to the part, chapter, or section in which the term appears or unless the context otherwise…

There is created and established the Tennessee agricultural museum, to be located in suitable quarters at Brentwood Hall, near Nashville, for the purpose of housing and preserving such early-American agricultural tools, implements, home furnishings, and other contrivances, and al…

The museum shall be under the jurisdiction of and administered by the department of agriculture.

The department of agriculture shall transact all necessary and proper business connected with the operation of the museum, which shall include drafting a report on the number and kind of exhibits donated during the preceding year, maintaining a register of visitors, and preparing…

There is created and established the Tennessee agriculture and forestry hall of fame, governed as provided by this part. It is the intent of the general assembly that the Tennessee agriculture and forestry hall of fame be the successor to, and a continuation of, the Tennessee agr…

(a) There is established the Tennessee agriculture and forestry hall of fame board by transfer and expansion of the duties and responsibilities of the Tennessee agricultural hall of fame board. The board consists of nine (9) members. (b) Effective July 1, 2025, the existing membe…

(a) The Tennessee agriculture and forestry hall of fame is under the general supervision of the Tennessee agriculture and forestry hall of fame board. (b) A person must not be admitted into the Tennessee agriculture and forestry hall of fame except by written presentation to the …

(a) For the purpose of administering this part, the board may accept and receive gifts, contributions, and bequests of funds and in-kind goods and services from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other organizations or institutions. (b) Funds received by the board are to…

(a) The use of the name “Tennessee Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame” in Tennessee to denote a hall of fame for persons with achievements in agricultural or forestry activities shall be exclusive to the board; provided, that the use of the name may be granted to the departmen…

All rules, procedures, and practices in effect under the creating statutes for the Tennessee agriculture hall of fame board, formerly compiled in [former] §§ 43-1-601 – 43-1-607, shall continue in effect until such time as the department of agriculture or Tennessee agriculture an…

(a) There is established within the general fund a special agency account to be known as the Tennessee agricultural regulatory fund, referred to in this part as “the fund.” (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, there shall be deposited in the fund all moneys collected purs…

(a) In order to facilitate the proper administration of each statute listed in § 43-1-701(b), the commissioner of agriculture shall establish fees through the promulgation of rules in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, for t…

(a) Notwithstanding § 4-5-229, rules establishing fees promulgated pursuant to this chapter before July 1, 2016, shall take effect following expiration of the ninety (90) days as provided in § 4-5-207. (b) Beginning in 2020 and at least every five (5) years thereafter, the commis…

In the event that the requirements of this part conflict with applicable federal requirements pertaining to the establishment and collection of permit application or compliance fees by the department, the federal requirements shall take precedence over the conflicting requirement…

There is established special FFA endowment funds in the Tennessee FFA Foundation, Inc.

(1) The Tennessee FFA Foundation, Inc. is eligible to receive appropriations for its endowment fund from the state general fund subject to the following conditions:(1) Neither an appropriation nor the income therefrom may be spent for any organization other than the Tennessee FFA…

Interest accruing on investments of the funds deposited to the credit of the Tennessee FFA Foundation, Inc. under this endowment fund shall be used for the sole purpose of promoting FFA programs in the state of Tennessee.

This part is known and may be cited as the “Representative Johnny Shaw Tennessee Agricultural Innovation and Education Initiative.”

(1) As used in this part:(1) “Department” means the department of agriculture; and(2) “Initiative” means the Representative Johnny Shaw Tennessee Agricultural Innovation and Education Initiative created by this part. (1) “Department” means the department of agriculture; and (2) “…

(a) There is created the initiative to be administered by the department. (b) The initiative must:(1) Support statewide outreach, education, and storytelling related to agriculture in this state;(2) Expand digital access to agriculture-focused workforce and learning resources;(3)…

(a) The department is authorized to contract with one (1) or more qualified private, nonprofit, or academic partners to design, operate, or administer components of the initiative. (b) In awarding contracts pursuant to this section, the department shall consider:(1) Demonstrated …

(a) All intellectual property, software, trademarks, content libraries, platforms, and creative materials owned or developed by private partners before, during, or after participation in the initiative must remain the exclusive property of those partners. (b) The state shall not …

(a) The initiative must prioritize benefits to:(1) State farmers and producers;(2) State students and workforce participants; and(3) State consumers and communities. (1) State farmers and producers; (2) State students and workforce participants; and (3) State consumers and commun…

(1) Activities under the initiative may include, but are not limited to:(1) Development and distribution of agriculture-focused educational programming;(2) Workforce training modules aligned with agriculture technology, logistics, media, and entrepreneurship;(3) Digital tools pro…

(a) After the conclusion of the third fiscal year of the initiative, the comptroller of the treasury shall conduct an initial evaluation of the initiative and report its findings to the governor and the general assembly. (b) The evaluation must assess:(1) The number of participat…

(1) Contracted partners shall submit annual performance reports to the department summarizing:(1) Program activities;(2) Measurable outcomes;(3) Financial stewardship; and(4) Recommendations for improvement. (1) Program activities; (2) Measurable outcomes; (3) Financial stewardsh…

(a) Subject to appropriations, it is the legislative intent that the general assembly authorize a recurring annual appropriation of one million dollars ($1,000,000) to the department to implement this initiative. (b) Funds may be used for:(1) Partner contracts;(2) Outreach and tr…

The department is authorized to promulgate rules to effectuate this part. The rules must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.