Hearing Set for New Farmland and Forestland Program
Jan 13, 2026
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) will hold a public rulemaking hearing on proposed rules governing TDA’s new farmland and forestland preservation program, established under Public Chapter 470 (2025), known as the Farmland Preservation Act.
The legislation directs the commissioner of agriculture to administer the farmland preservation fund, supporting programs that benefit Tennesseans by preserving farmland and forestland—including a grant program for voluntary conservation easements.
In addition to receiving public comment on proposed rules for the farmland and forestland preservation program, the hearing will address proposed revisions that simplify TDA’s general civil penalty authority and update rules for TDA’s dairy program. The proposed rules also consolidate related subjects previously promulgated under separate chapters and reorganize existing rules to improve clarity and accessibility.
The hearing will be held at 1 p.m. Central time Feb. 12, 2026, in the Holeman Building at Ellington Agricultural Center located at 424 Hogan Road, Nashville, TN 37220.
Written and oral comments will be accepted at the hearing. Written comments will be included in the hearing record if received between 8 a.m. Central time on Feb. 6, 2026, and 4 p.m. Central time on Feb. 13, 2026. Written comments may be submitted to Emily Allison at P. O. Box 40627, Nashville, TN 37204 or tda.rulemaking@tn.gov.
The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, T.C.A. Title 4, Chapter 5, Part 2.
When: 1 p.m. Central time, Feb. 12, 2026
Where: Ellington Agricultural Center, Holeman Building
424 Hogan Road
Nashville, TN 37220
Contact: Emily Allison, (615) 837-5331 or tda.rulemaking@tn.gov
A copy of the proposed rules and additional information is available on the Tennessee Secretary of State website.
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To ensure availability, contact Liz Sneed at (615) 837-5116 or Liz.Sneed@tn.gov no later than 24 hours before the scheduled hearing. While efforts will be made to honor requests made within 24 hours of the hearing, fulfillment is not guaranteed.
The legislation directs the commissioner of agriculture to administer the farmland preservation fund, supporting programs that benefit Tennesseans by preserving farmland and forestland—including a grant program for voluntary conservation easements.
In addition to receiving public comment on proposed rules for the farmland and forestland preservation program, the hearing will address proposed revisions that simplify TDA’s general civil penalty authority and update rules for TDA’s dairy program. The proposed rules also consolidate related subjects previously promulgated under separate chapters and reorganize existing rules to improve clarity and accessibility.
The hearing will be held at 1 p.m. Central time Feb. 12, 2026, in the Holeman Building at Ellington Agricultural Center located at 424 Hogan Road, Nashville, TN 37220.
Written and oral comments will be accepted at the hearing. Written comments will be included in the hearing record if received between 8 a.m. Central time on Feb. 6, 2026, and 4 p.m. Central time on Feb. 13, 2026. Written comments may be submitted to Emily Allison at P. O. Box 40627, Nashville, TN 37204 or tda.rulemaking@tn.gov.
The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, T.C.A. Title 4, Chapter 5, Part 2.
When: 1 p.m. Central time, Feb. 12, 2026
Where: Ellington Agricultural Center, Holeman Building
424 Hogan Road
Nashville, TN 37220
Contact: Emily Allison, (615) 837-5331 or tda.rulemaking@tn.gov
A copy of the proposed rules and additional information is available on the Tennessee Secretary of State website.
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To ensure availability, contact Liz Sneed at (615) 837-5116 or Liz.Sneed@tn.gov no later than 24 hours before the scheduled hearing. While efforts will be made to honor requests made within 24 hours of the hearing, fulfillment is not guaranteed.