House Bill 1536, also known as the Tennessee Agricultural Innovation and Education Initiative, aims to enhance the agricultural sector in Tennessee by establishing a coordinated initiative administered by the Department of Agriculture. The initiative focuses on supporting statewide outreach, education, and storytelling related to agriculture, expanding digital access to workforce and learning resources, promoting market access for farmers, and preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders. The bill allows the department to contract with qualified private, nonprofit, or academic partners to design and operate components of the initiative, ensuring that the benefits primarily serve state farmers, students, and consumers.

The initiative will also prioritize the development of agriculture-focused educational programming, workforce training, and digital tools to promote agricultural literacy. An annual independent evaluation will assess the initiative's effectiveness, including participation rates and financial outcomes, with results reported to state leadership. The bill proposes a recurring annual appropriation of $2 million to fund the initiative, with encouragement for the department to seek additional matching contributions from various partners. The initiative is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.