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Interactive Data Dashboard Shows Impact of Agriculture and Forestry in State

NASHVILLE (November 24) – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) announced the launch of a new online, interactive source for agriculture and forestry information for every county in Tennessee. The live dashboards enable people to access real-time data for a range of information in one easy-to-access place.

For example, accessible information includes grant funding in Weakley County for 2020 from the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP), which was established in 2005 to provide cost share dollars to agricultural producers for the purpose of making long-term investments in Tennessee farms and communities. Participation allows producers to maximize farm profits, adapt to changing market situations, improve operation safety, increase farm efficiency, and make a positive economic impact in their communities.

More than $185 million has been invested in 62,942 producer projects from 2005 through 2019. Each TAEP dollar generates $6.09 in local economies.

More than $351,300 in TAEP funds were awarded locally from the 2019-20 Fiscal Year through the current Fiscal Year for 50 projects. Livestock Equipment was the largest request at 19, with Row Crop Solutions accounting for 14 project requests. The state data shows an economic impact to Weakley County as a result of TAEP funding at $2.1 million.

Nearly 27 percent of Weakley County’s landscape is forested with 99,601 acres. There are four sawmills in Weakley County. During the previous Fiscal Year through the current Fiscal Year, 80,725 tree seedlings were purchased by 10 consumers in the county from The Division of Forestry’s seedling nursery, located in Delano, Tennessee. The Division’s East Tennessee Nursery offers Tennessee residents a variety of tree and shrub seedlings for reforestation, wildlife habitat enhancement, and erosion control, as well as other conservation-oriented purposes.

Of those seedlings sold in Weakley County, 69,000 were oak and 7,500 were pine.

“We want to share the most requested data and key metrics from a statewide overview all the way down to the county level,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. said. “Using interactive maps and icons, the information is easy to access, accurate, and up-to-date.”

“Delivering useful, transparent data to the public, to agriculture industry leaders, and to state and local lawmakers is a priority,” Commissioner Hatcher added. “This new tool makes that even easier. You can see at a glance how the department impacts the lives of Tennesseans and what’s happening in agriculture and forestry where you live.”

In addition to the real-time data, each interactive dashboard showcases information specific to each division of TDA. The dashboards track historical data and trends for economic impact and program reach. One significant feature of the data is the ability to search by multiple demographics. For example, the Business Development Division data is searchable by county economic status, grand division, development district, or county.

Visitors to the TDA website will value how quickly they can access what they’re looking for. There’s no waiting to obtain information on the new interactive data pages. A time stamp appears at the bottom to indicate the most recent update.

Interactive data dashboards include:

* Administrative Grants and Food Distribution

* Animal Health and Laboratory Testing

* Business Development

* Forestry

* Licensing and Inspections for Consumer and Industry Services

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s mission is to serve all the citizens of Tennessee by providing options for responsible use of our agricultural and forest resources, developing economic opportunities, safeguarding food and fiber and ensuring equity in the marketplace.

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