Tennessee State Motto: Agriculture and Commerce
Fact-checked • Updated December 5, 2025
OFFICIAL STATE SEAL
"Agriculture and Commerce"
Agriculture and Commerce
About This Motto
The Tennessee state motto is Agriculture and Commerce. These simple English words appear on the state's Great Seal and describe two foundations of Tennessee's economy. The General Assembly made them the official state motto in 1987. However, the words have marked Tennessee's seal since 1801. That makes the motto much older than its formal adoption date.
What the Motto Means
Agriculture and Commerce names two economic activities. Agriculture means farming. Growing crops. Raising livestock. Tennessee has rich soil and good rainfall, which made farming central to life in the early 1800s. The word commerce means trade. Buying and selling goods between people and places.
These weren't abstract ideas when legislators chose them. Wheat and cotton covered Tennessee fields. Rivers carried boats full of trade goods. The motto described what Tennesseans did every day to make a living. It still fits today, though the state economy has grown far beyond farms and riverboats.
Historical Background
-
1796 - Tennessee Statehood
Tennessee became the 16th state on June 1, 1796. The new state needed official symbols. Governor John Sevier used his personal seal on documents at first because Tennessee had no state seal yet.
-
1801 - Great Seal Commission
The legislature appointed a commission to create an official seal and motto in 1801. They chose images and words that captured Tennessee's economic life. A plow, wheat sheaf, and cotton plant went in the upper half with the word Agriculture. A riverboat went in the lower half with the word Commerce.
-
1802 - First Use of the Seal
William Atkinson and Matthew Atkinson made the seal and press. Governor Archibald Roane received them in April 1802. The seal got its first use on April 24, 1802. Ironically, that document ordered payment to the Atkinsons for making the seal itself.
-
1987 - Official Motto Adoption
The words Agriculture and Commerce appeared on Tennessee's seal for 186 years before becoming the official motto. The 95th General Assembly passed Public Chapter 402 in 1987, formally designating these words as Tennessee's state motto. The legislature also codified the complete seal design in statute that same year.
Where You See It Today
You can see Agriculture and Commerce on Tennessee's Great Seal, which appears on official state documents and government publications. The words sit above and below the seal's central images. State offices display the seal in their buildings and on letterhead.
The Tennessee state quarter, released in 2002 as part of the 50 State Quarters program, features musical instruments rather than the state seal. However, the official state website and publications regularly show the Great Seal with its motto. Visit the State Capitol in Nashville and you'll find the seal prominently displayed. The motto remains part of Tennessee's official identity even though many residents know the state slogan better. That slogan, Tennessee - America at Its Best, was adopted in 1965 for tourism promotion.
Interesting Facts About the Motto
Fact 1 of 12
Tennessee waited 186 years to officially adopt words that already appeared on its seal since 1801
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability. All information has been fact-checked and verified against official government records.
Official state symbols documentation. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Educational resource on seal history and meaning. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Legal statute establishing the state motto. • Accessed: December 31, 2025
Accuracy Commitment: We strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date information. If you notice any errors or outdated information, please contact us.