Tennessee Code Title 43. Agriculture and Horticulture § 43-6-107

(1) Purchase all necessary materials, supplies, office, laboratory, and field equipment and other things, in the manner prescribed by law, and make such other expenditures as may be essential and necessary in carrying out this part within the limits of the amount appropriated by law;

(2) Appoint, in accordance with any applicable rules or regulations of the department of human resources, such assistants, inspectors and other employees as may be required and prescribe their duties, and delegate to the assistants, inspectors and other employees such powers and authority as may be deemed proper within the limits of the power and authority conferred upon the commissioner by this part;

(3) Enter into cooperative arrangements with any person, municipality, county and other departments of this state, and boards, officers and authorities of other states and the United States for inspection with reference to insect pests, pest plants, or plant diseases and for the control and eradication of insect pests, pest plants, or plant diseases, and to contribute a just proportionate share of the expenses incurred under such arrangements;  and

(4) Publish, at intervals to be determined by the commissioner, an official organ of the department of agriculture for public distribution and may from time to time publish and distribute to the public such further information as may be deemed necessary or in the public interest.