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Floyd A. Miller of Carter County, who operates a sawmill and is a business owner, has been chosen as a recipient in the second round of grants announced for the Tennessee Forestry, Agriculture, and Rural Markets (FARM) cost share program.
The FARM cost share is aimed at stabilizing and strengthening the agriculture and forestry supply chain. In this second round, $13.35 million was awarded to 18 agricultural, food, forestry, and nonprofit entities in Tennessee.
“FARM funding has already positively affected Tennessee’s agricultural sectors and we are pleased to continue those efforts with the second of three rounds of funding,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M., said. “This time, we received 114 applications and funding requests exceeded $52 million. We thank Governor Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group for supporting the state’s farm and forest families.”
Each application was scored independently by three TDA staff members and then reevaluated by a larger group of TDA staff with agribusiness expertise. Scores were based on weighted criteria including the economic designation of the county of origin, operational increase expected from the completed project, anticipated impact on Tennessee’s food and fiber supply chain, readiness and evidence of financial capacity to complete the project, and demonstration of collaboration with industry and community partners. An independent consulting firm assisted with the process by advising on the application, the scorecard, and data management.
Businesses that receive financial assistance through FARM are not required to repay the funds. Cost share dollars are part of the State of Tennessee’s American Rescue Plan funding through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.
Also selected for the program was Unaka Forestry Products, Inc. of Washington County.