U-DAIRE: Undergraduate Development and Internship Research Experience
Details
- Paid Summer Internship
- 9 Weeks: Summer 2025
- June 2 -August 1
- $5,400 Stipend
- 9 Weeks: Summer 2025
- Leadership Development
- Leadership Training Session on-campus at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Dairy Industry Experience
- Work experience at a Value-Added Dairy Enterprise or Research Lab in Tennessee, North Carolina, or, Kentucky
Applications due in March 2025! Click here for more information!
There are many grant opportunities specific to value-added producers and producers looking to begin a value-added enterprise. Others help farmers in general.
National
- Value-Added Producer Grant (find a series of informational videos here)
- Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) (find an informational video here)
- Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program
- Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program
- Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program
Tennessee
- Agricultural Enterprise Fund
- Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP): Producer Diversification
Kentucky
North Carolina
Creating a High Quality Grant Proposal
Assessing Value-Added Dairy Business Expansion Workshop Series
Session 1: Hal Pepper, Extension Specialist, Center for Profitable Agriculture
Topics: Questions to consider when expanding a value-added dairy business and how to apply for the USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grant.
Watch Here.
Session 2: Matthew Wade, Director of Farm Laboratories, Middle Tennessee State University
Topics: Case study for growing a value-added dairy enterprise at MTSU.
Watch Here.
Session 3: Sarah Cornelisse, Senior Extension Associate, Penn State
Topics: Tools for analyzing feasibility and profitability for value-added dairy businesses.
Watch Here.
The information below is relevant to farmers, foresters, non-profit organizations and local governments in Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington Counties.
Monday, April 21, 2025 | 02:06pm
On behalf of Governor Bill Lee, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Director Patrick C. Sheehan announced today that applications are now open for the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund (GRRF), a $100 million initiative established to provide flexible financial assistance for current and future unmet disaster recovery needs, including Tropical Storm Helene.
“Tropical Storm Helene was an unprecedented disaster for our state, and the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund is part of a comprehensive plan to provide flexible financial resources for current and future emergencies,” said Gov. Lee. “I thank the General Assembly for their partnership and acting swiftly to provide necessary relief for Tennesseans.”
The initial application for GRRF offers grant funding to support local governments, non-profit organizations, businesses, farmers, and foresters in Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties following Tropical Storm Helene.
“We are incredibly grateful to Governor Lee for his leadership and swift action in establishing the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund,” said TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan. “This fund provides a critical lifeline to Tennesseans working to recover from disaster, and it reflects the state’s deep commitment to supporting our communities when they need it most.”
The Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund is a vital part of Tennessee’s strategy to ensure communities have the resources they need to bounce back after disaster strikes. By providing assistance to impacted areas, the fund empowers local leaders and organizations to address immediate challenges, restore critical services, and accelerate long-term recovery efforts. This proactive approach strengthens statewide resilience and helps Tennesseans return to normalcy as quickly and safely as possible.
Eligibility and Application Process for the Initial Round
- Who Can Apply: Local governments, non-profit organizations, businesses, farmers, and foresters in Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties.
- How to Apply: Eligible applicants will need to submit an online application found on the TEMA website. Applicants will need to provide supporting documentation as part of the application.
- Application Deadline: All applications must be submitted by May 31, 2025.
For more information on eligibility criteria and to access applications, please visit the TEMA website.