Switchgrass Incentive Program

Of the $70 million in funding committed to the Biofuels Initiative, more than $8 million has been set aside for a farmer incentive program. This program will pay farmers on a per acre basis to produce switchgrass in advance of a mature market for the new energy crop.

Current Incentive Program

The Initiative plated 725 acres of switchgrass in Spring 2008. In 2009, approximately 1900 acres was planted on 37 private farms. Future plans are to plant an additional 3,000 acres in spring 2010. Applications for the 2010 planting season will be accepted in August 2009. Informational meetings for producers in the poduction region have been scheduled as follows. Producers are invited and only need to attend one of the following meetings, regardless of where there farm is located in the region.

Farmers who are interested in participating in the incentive programs are encouraged to contact their local Extension agent or visit this website for more information.

Monroe County
Thursday, July 30, 2009
7:00 pm
Farm Bureau Building, Madisonville

McMinn County
Monday, August 3, 2009
7:00 pm
South East Bank and Trust Company Room, 1878 S. Congress Pkwy., Athens

Blount County
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
7:00 pm
Blount County Courthouse, Room 315, Maryville

Loudon County
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
7:00 pm
County Office Building, Loudon

History

In 2008, sixteen area farmers received acceptance letters into the University of Tennessee switchgrass farmer incentive program in February. In total, 725 acres located in seven different East Tennessee counties were enrolled in the program. These contracts will pay farmers a rate of $450 per acre per year to grow switchgrass for a three-year term. The farmers will also be supplied with high quality switchgrass seed and technical assistance from UT Extension.

Applications for 2009 planting were accepted beginning in January. Applications were received from landowners for over 3,500 acres. Of these applications, 2000 acres was selected on 37 farms. Planting will began in mid-April 2009.

Documents and Information

2010 Contracts and Application Packets will be made available soon.

Related Press Releases

Farmers Awarded UT Switchgrass Contracts for Second Season, June 16, 2009

Farmers Awarded Switchgrass Contracts for Tennessee Biofuels, Mar. 1, 2008
Area Farmers Encouraged to Attend Switchgrass Production Meetings, Jan. 7, 2008