Cannon County farmers looking to expand their markets and increase food safety by becoming Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified now have the opportunity to receive financial assistance from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Good Agricultural Practices certification allows producers to sell directly to more businesses and institutions with stringent food safety requirements, such as grocery stores or hospitals. These new opportunities allow producers to increase their income, and the certification helps to ensure food is safe and wholesome for specialty crops throughout Tennessee.
According to Agriculture Jay Templeton, “We continue to look for ways to provide new opportunities to farmers. Mitigating the cost of Good Agricultural Practices audits may help enable more producers to become certified. Tennessee farmers provide safe, reliable food. An increase in certified producers in the state will reinforce our reliability to businesses and consumers.”
The application period closes Aug. 31, 2019. Qualified producers will have the opportunity to offset the cost of a Good Agricultural Practice Certification inspection by being reimbursed 75% of the inspection cost up to $750.
Funds are available on a first come, first served basis. Grant funds are available to producers only; warehouses and distributors may not apply.
You will find more information and the cost share application at www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/produce-nursery/gap.html or by emailing Grant Pulse at grant.pulse@tn.gov.
