Ag Policy Library

Policy Post – May 2025

Lawmakers are making quick work of the last few weeks of the 114th General Assembly at the time this issue is printing, expecting to finish their business before May 2025. To keep up with the latest on week-to-week proceedings, check out the legislative alert and listen to Farm Bureau on the Hill.

Policy Post – March 2025

Policy Post: Jan. 2025

Policy Post: July 2024

April 25, 2024, marked the end of the 113th General Assembly for Tennessee lawmakers. This session, three of the four Farm Bureau priority issues have passed the General Assembly, two of which have been signed by Governor Lee.

Policy Post: May 2024

As the legislative session is winding down at press time, a few Farm Bureau priority issues have already made their way across the finish line for 2024.

Policy Post: March 2024

The start of a new year in Nashville indicates new legislation and the continuation of the 113th General Assembly. While this is the second year of this General Assembly, over 1,800 new bills have been filed.

Policy Post: January 2024

Policy Post: November 2023

Policy Post: September 2023

On June 26, 2023, with collaboration from Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the offices of Congressmen John Rose and Congressman Scott DesJarlais, Tennessee Farm Bureau had the privilege of hosting the state’s first Farm Bill Listening Session.

Policy Post: July 2023

In late April, the first half of the 113th Tennessee General Assembly completed their business and adjourned. Farm Bureau had another successful year in Nashville. Read for the highlights.

Policy Post: May 2023

At press time, the 113th Tennessee General Assembly has just passed Governor Lee’s more than $55 billion budget and adjourned for this legislative session.

Policy Post: March 2023

Policies which will guide the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation advocacy efforts in 2023 were adopted and finalized by the House of Delegates at the 101st Annual Meeting on December 6, 2022.

Policy Post: January 2023

Policies which will guide the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation advocacy efforts in 2023 were adopted and finalized by the House of Delegates at the 101st Annual Meeting on December 6, 2022.

Policy Post: November 2022

This November voters across the country will head to the polls to practice their constitutional right and pull the lever. As the leader in grassroots outreach, Farm Bureau’s public policy division wants to give you an inside look of what will be on your ballot.

Policy Post: September 2022

Tennessee Farm Bureau encourages you to vote Yes on 1 as the 2022 Resolutions states “Tennessee's RightTo-Work Law must not be repealed either directly or through amendment to the Taft-Hartley Act or other federal labor laws. Tennessee’s Right-To-Work Law should be added to the state’s constitution.”

Policy Post: July 2022

The 112th General Assembly concluded its business and adjourned sine die on Thursday, April 28. Much of this success can be credited to our grassroots members who advocated on Farm Bureau’s behalf. We encourage you to thank your state legislators for their hard work and support of Farm Bureau issues this session.

Policy Post: May 2022

Solar energy production is one of two primary sources of renewable electricity with the other being wind power generation. Industry, state and local government, and electric power generation companies want to achieve a certain level of electrical energy supply from sources that do not emit carbon.

Policy Post: March 2022

On January 11, the 112th General Assembly gaveled in for its second regular session. This year, Farm Bureau will focus on four priority issues.

Policy Post: January 2022

Policies which will guide the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation advocacy efforts in 2022 were adopted and finalized by the House of Delegates at the 100th annual meeting on December 7, 2021.

Policy Post: November 2021

Tennessee’s economy is experiencing robust expansion which places a new emphasis on smart growth planning in rural communities. The state’s population is expected to continue increasing over the coming decades according to the University of Tennessee Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research.

Policy Post: September 2021

Farmers across the West continue to battle severe drought conditions. According to the August 5 release of the National Drought Mitigation Center’s U.S. Drought Monitor, more than 80% of the West plus North and South Dakota are categorized as D2 (severe drought) or higher.

Policy Post: July 2021

We want to thank the many Farm Bureau leaders who were involved in the legislative process. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Farm Bureau continues to be successful because of its grassroots.

Policy Post: May 2021

There are three Farm Bureau Priority Issues which have passed thus far, and all had a strong, favorable vote in both chambers. Other Farm Bureau Priority Issues were still working through the committee process at the time of publication.

Policy Post: March 2021

Farm Bureau is assessing the bills filed in this General Assembly, of which many are related to Farm Bureau policy positions. Farm Bureau will monitor this legislation and promote Farm Bureau’s grassroots 2021 resolutions.

Policy Post: January 2021

Policies which will guide the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation advocacy efforts in 2021 were adopted and finalized by the House of Delegates at the 99th annual meeting on December 7, 2020.

Policy Post: November 2020

A new report by the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Cattle Market Working Group provides an in-depth examination of the causes and price implications resulting from extreme market volatility in the cattle industry.

Handshake Agreements and Holdover Tenant Terms

Land rental agreements are an integral part of farming. It is very common for rented land to make up a sizable portion of a farmer’s total operation. There are many types of rental agreements; however, oral lease agreements are most common across the state.