TUFF General FAQs

The TUFF (Tennessee Urban Farm & Forestry) program is designed to provide cost share dollars and financial incentives for projects that increase agricultural and forestry production in disadvantaged areas within Tennessee’s urban communities. The program will sponsor projects that fall into one of the following two categories:

1.     Projects that improve the overall health of urban communities by meeting nutritional needs or providing education about healthy food

2.     Projects that support urban small businesses in increasing agricultural & forestry production

This program is funded by the State of Tennessee’s allocation of American Rescue Plan funding through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.

The TUFF cost share program will have three rounds of applications and awards. For the second round, the application portal will be open from February 1-15, 2024.  Awards will be announced in March 2024, and funding recipients will have 24 months to complete their projects and submit the appropriate documentation and information to receive their allocation in the form of a reimbursement. Information regarding the second and third rounds of funding will become available as the application period approaches.

No, applicants will be limited to receiving funding in only one of the three rounds of awards.

For organizations whose project goal is to support the nutritional needs of an urban community or provide related educational resources, it is required that their project be located within one of Tennessee’s urban communities (listed in the following question) and that the project serves minority, underserved, or other populations that have borne the greatest impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For small businesses whose project goal is to increase agricultural or forestry production, it is required that they be located within one of Tennessee’s urban communities (listed in the following question) AND be located within a Qualified Census Tract.

Urban areas include:  

A QCT is an area designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in which at least 50% of households have an income less than 60% of the Area Median Gross Income. The searchable map at the following link may be utilized to determine whether your project location is within a QCT: https://www.huduser.gov/PORTAL/sadda/sadda_qct.html.

The TUFF cost share program will cover 50% of project costs.

Funding amounts will be determined following the evaluation of your application. The maximum amount of funding will be $250,000, and the minimum amount of funding will be $10,000.

Businesses that are eligible for both programs may receive funding in both, but the maximum funding amount that can be received across both programs is $1 million.

Funds will be made available on a reimbursement basis only.

To receive reimbursement, you will be required to provide all necessary supporting documentation for each expense.

Each funding recipient may only submit one reimbursement request. Reimbursement requests must be submitted at the completion of the project.

Projects must be complete within 24 months of your award date.

Yes.

No, this is not required. 

TUFF funding can be used for construction, materials, and installation services in addition to equipment purchases.

No, these expenses are not eligible.

No, these expenses are not eligible.

No, feasibility studies are not eligible.

Yes, this is allowable.

No, ARPA Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars generally may not be used for a non-federal match with other federal funding sources. Exceptions listed in the federal guidance do not apply to this program.  

Yes.

Yes, administrative costs are eligible up to 5% of your award amount.