Governor Lee Delivers State of the State Address
In mid-February, Governor Lee laid out his proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 budget to the Tennessee General Assembly in his state of the state address. The theme was “Tennessee Innovates,” and laid out several goals in which Tennessee plans to lead the nation.
“2025 should be the year to think bigger and to think boldly about what’s possible and go there. If Tennessee has led the nation as a beacon of opportunity, security and freedom, why can’t we be the nation’s capital of innovation too? Somebody is going to determine what the future looks like. That should be Tennessee,” said Gov. Lee.
Among several priorities he laid out in his address, Tennessee’s number one industry, agriculture, was highlighted. Gov. Lee stressed the importance of passed the Farmland Conservation Act, a TFBF priority issue, in which $25 million will be allocated to the Tennessee Farmland Preservation Fund, which seeks to provide landowners with resources to preserve their family farms for generations to come.
“Farm families in this state keep food on our tables and drive our economy. However, our state is losing ten acres of farmland per hour, which is a staggering number when agriculture is our number one industry,” said Gov. Lee. “That’s why we are again proposing a grant program for farmers who voluntarily preserve and protect their land for future generations. It’s time we support Tennessee farmers by finally passing the Farmland Conservation Act.”
Other priority items related to conservation and agriculture:
- $20 million in additional funding for the Agricultural Enterprise Fund ($15 million) and Agricultural Enhancement Fund ($5 million), both of which are utilized to aid Tennesseans in creating and expanding agricultural, food and forestry businesses and make long-term strategic investments in rural communities.
- $1.5 million to establish a statewide planning office within the University of Tennessee Institute ofPublic Service to aid local governments regarding managing growth.
- $574,000 for landowner education through programming at the Center for Profitable Agriculture, a joint venture between the University of Tennessee and TFBF.
- $1.5 million in funding for a statewide meat inspection program, an initiative passed by the legislature in the 113th General Assembly.
- $100 million to execute a comprehensive regional water resource plan to ensure long-term water needs are met while protecting the ecological health of the Duck River.
- $52 million to create five new Tennessee State Parks, with the goal of funding a total of eight new state parks by the time Gov. Lee leaves office, setting the Tennessee record for the most state parks created by one administration.
- $40 million for environmental cleanup, including creation of a comprehensive water resource management plan in the Duck River region, state water revolving fund projects and electric grid enhancement.
- $30 million to aid Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s capital outlay and maintenance needs.
- $6.2 million to address maintenance needs at Tennessee State Parks, preventing a backlog of deferred maintenance.
Gov. Lee said, “From the Delta to Appalachia, Tennessee is blessed with natural abundance that we have to protect and preserve for future generations. Yet, we also continue to be one of the fastest-growing states in the nation – in rural and urban areas alike. So, how do we balance record growth with a plan to protect our natural resources? You start by rejecting conventional wisdom that says you cannot do both. To grow Tennessee, we have to conserve Tennessee.”
Other key budget items TFBF is proud to support:
- $92 million in a joint investment in 4-H and FFA to six youth education camps across Tennessee to improve infrastructure and expand student opportunities. (Funded in Governor Lee’s proposed budget.)
- University of Tennessee Institute ofPublic Service and Center for Profitable Agriculture requests an investment towards expanding local government planning support and landowner education amidst the rapid growth and subsequent loss of farmland across the state. (Funded in Governor Lee’s proposed budget.)
- University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) seeks a $3 million-dollar annual expenditure towards the creation and retention of precision agriculture expertise within UTIA. (Not funded in Governor Lee’s proposed budget, Farm Bureau will continue to support this issue during the budget legislative process.)
Governor Lee’s proposed budget totals $59.5 billion dollars, just $1 billion shy of the final approved budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. From here, legislators will begin negotiations on priorities for their “legislative amendment,” which will be considered for a vote later in session.
As always, things can rapidly change in Nashville during the legislative session, so the best way to stay informed and engaged is by reading your legislative alert and listening to the Farm Bureau on the Hill podcast. Contact TFBF’s public policy division at publicpolicydivision@tfbf.com for more information on either of those resources.
2025 Legislative Visits
Join Tennessee Farm Bureau members in Nashville for the 2025 Farm Bureau Legislative Visits on March 11 and 12, 2025. Briefings will be at the Tennessee Municipal Auditorium where TFBF staff members will prepare attendees with information to discuss key priority issues with lawmakers. Contact your county Farm Bureau for more information and to register. We hope you’ll join us to ensure the voice of agriculture in heard in the legislature this session.
