Investing in Innovation for Tennessee Corn Farmers

Tennessee corn farmers are faced with the challenge of producing crops necessary to meet local, national, and international demands while maintaining the quality and quantity of resources for future generations. 

Each year, the Tennessee Corn Promotion Board seeks university research projects that develop research-based technologies and practices that will help farmers increase production efficiency and profitability while safeguarding and improving the natural resources needed for agriculture.

“University research answers the “what if” questions that lead to new ways to grow corn even more efficiently and sustainably,” says George McDonald, former Tennessee Corn Promotion Board Chairman. “We make considerable effort to select projects with the results to improve the profitability of Tennessee’s corn farmers.”

“Research projects with the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Tech University, and the University of Tennessee Martin are underway for 2024,” says John Townsend, a member of the Tennessee Corn Promotion Board of Directors. “For every checkoff dollar invested in research, the university typically matches that dollar with its own funds to complete the research.”

Since 2020, the Tennessee Corn Promotion Board has helped fund $1,240,679.69 in corn research projects.

The Tennessee Corn Promotion Board is funded through a producer checkoff investment of ½-cent-per-bushel checkoff on all corn marketed in the state and is managed by nine farmer directors. The Tennessee Corn Promotion Board was created to implement a program of research, education, market development, and advertising to promote the increased production, consumption, and use of corn and the sale of Tennessee corn products.