– Legislative Update –
Carrying the voice of agriculture to policymakers
Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation strives to influence issues at state and federal levels that have potential to affect farmers
By Kristen Walker, Tennessee Farm Bureau Associate Director of Public Policy
With both the Tennessee 114th General Assembly and the 119th United States Congress as busy as ever, spring of 2025 brought plenty of opportunity for actions and issues with the potential to affect farmers. Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation (TFBF) remains committed to being the Voice of Agriculture across Tennessee, in Nashville, and in Washington, D.C.
Every year, the TFBF state board of directors establishes priorities for the upcoming legislative session. This year, TFBF is advocating for three key pieces of legislation on behalf of farmers. At the time of print, the Tennessee General Assembly is still actively debating these issues. Visit www.capitol.tn.gov for the latest information.
First, it’s no secret Tennessee is losing farmland at the alarming rate of nearly 10 acres an hour. The Farmland Preservation Act, otherwise known as SB207/HB1325, establishes the Farmland Preservation Fund for the development and implementation of programs which benefit Tennesseans by preserving farmland and forestland, including a grant program for voluntary conservation easements. Administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, the grants will allow landowners to voluntarily enroll their land in a permanent conservation easement held by a qualified easement holder, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists for the purpose of managing conservation easements on farmland and forestland.
A continued effort from the 113th General Assembly, SJR1/HJR2 is a constitutional amendment which would prohibit the state of Tennessee from ever collecting a statewide property tax. This tax, which has not been collected since the 1940s, is separate from local government property taxes. This is the second hurdle of a multi-year effort and must pass both chambers by a two-thirds vote to be considered on the 2026 gubernatorial ballot, where half of those voting for governor must support the amendment for it to be codified in the state’s Constitution.
Lastly, to insulate crop protection providers from unjustified “failure to warn” lawsuits and allow farmers to continue to use vital crop protection technology, TFBF supports SB527/HB809 which would provide liability protection to companies who manufacture and label chemicals according to Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) guidelines. Failure to provide such protection could result in a withdrawal from the market of crucial products for farmers such as glyphosate. SB527/HB809 passed in the Senate and will be considered in the House in 2026.
First, it’s no secret Tennessee is losing farmland at the alarming rate of nearly 10 acres an hour. The Farmland Preservation Act, otherwise known as SB207/HB1325, establishes the Farmland Preservation Fund for the development and implementation of programs which benefit Tennesseans by preserving farmland and forestland, including a grant program for voluntary conservation easements. Administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, the grants will allow landowners to voluntarily enroll their land in a permanent conservation easement held by a qualified easement holder, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists for the purpose of managing conservation easements on farmland and forestland.
TFBF is also actively involved in the state’s budget process, supporting budget provisions for 2025. Governor Lee has proposed $20 million in additional funding for the Agricultural Enterprise Fund ($15 million) and Agricultural Enhancement Fund ($5 million). Additionally, the Tennessee 4-H and FFA Foundations are seeking historic investments into six youth education camps across Tennessee to improve infrastructure and expand student opportunities.
Lastly, University of Tennessee Institute of Public Service and Center for Profitable Agriculture request an investment towards expanding local government planning support and landowner education amidst the rapid growth and subsequent loss of farmland across the state.
These three provisions were included in Governor Lee’s proposed budget. However, one item which wasn’t included was a proposal by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), seeking a $3-million-dollar annual expenditure towards the creation and retention of precision agriculture expertise within UTIA.
At the federal level, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), which issues $10 billion in direct payments to agricultural producers for economic losses during the 2024 crop year. Authorized by the American Relief Act of 2025, payments are based on planted and prevented planted crop acres for eligible commodities during the 2024 crop year.
The sign-up period runs from March 19, 2025, to August 15, 2025. To expedite the distribution of funds, USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) will send pre-filled applications to producers who have submitted acreage reports to FSA for the 2024 crop year. Producers can then review the pre-filled application, make necessary edits, and send it back to FSA. Producers can also request an application by going online or contacting their local FSA office. For more information on eligible commodities and other application details, visit fsa.usda.gov/ecap.