Tennessee’s Ag Tag Turns 30: Public Vote on Proposed New Designs

As the Ag Tag approaches its 30th anniversary, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture has launched a public vote to help select the next design of this important specialty license plate.

The Ag Tag has been on Tennessee roads since 1996, and for three decades, it has served as more than a recognizable symbol of our state's agricultural and forestry heritage. It has also generated critical support for agricultural education, youth leadership, market development, forestry awareness and programs that strengthen Tennessee's rural communities. This milestone is an appropriate time to celebrate the impact of the Ag Tag, bring renewed attention to its purpose and invite Tennesseans to help shape its future.

Public voting is open through 4 p.m. CT on June 23 using this Formstack link. The form includes three Ag Tag design options and will serve as the official method for collecting and counting votes.

The public can choose from three design options:

1. The original Ag Tag design
2. A modernized version of the current Ag Tag
3. A new Ag Tag design

The two new design options incorporate the Pick Tennessee Products logo, one of TDA's most important and recognizable brands, which is celebrating 40 years of connecting people with Tennessee farms and food businesses. They also include the FFA emblem and 4-H logo, reflecting the Ag Tag's longstanding support of agricultural education and youth leadership across the state.

The impact of the Ag Tag is significant. Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-4-298, proceeds from the Agriculture Specialty License Plate are deposited into the Agricultural Development Fund. These funds may be used exclusively for projects, activities and grants that promote agricultural market development and agriculture-related information, education and awareness in Tennessee.

On average, the department collects approximately $653,000 annually from Ag Tag license plate revenue. These funds support programs and organizations such as Tennessee 4-H, Tennessee FFA, Ag in the Classroom, Governor's School for the Agricultural Sciences, UT Martin Rodeo, the Tennessee Forestry Association, the Tennessee Association of Fairs, agricultural educator programs, youth leadership conferences, agricultural awareness events and other programs that promote Tennessee agriculture and forestry.

Once voting concludes, TDA plans to submit the selected plate design to the Tennessee Department of Revenue by June 30, 2026. From there, the plate will go through several additional steps, including sample production and road testing with law enforcement. Because the timing of those steps depends on the approval, production, and testing process, it will still be some time before the selected plate is available to vehicle owners. Please also note that the final plate design may be subject to adjustments during the Department of Revenue review, production or road-testing process.

The hope is this public vote will not only celebrate the Ag Tag's 30-year history and the important role it continues to play in supporting agricultural education and awareness across Tennessee, but also generate excitement for the Ag Tag and encourage even more Tennesseans to support the programs it funds!