Support Local Dairies, Look for New Tennessee Milk Logo
Consumers now have a way to know that their milk comes from Tennessee dairy farms with the new official Tennessee Milk logo. Milk labeled as Tennessee Milk must be entirely sourced, processed, and bottled in Tennessee. The program is administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA). “This logo allows consumers the opportunity to support […]
Planning Christmas Dinner in August? Well, You Should Be!
The dog days of summer seem an odd time to start planning holiday menus. However, if you want locally produced meats grown and processed just the way you like them gracing your holiday tables, it’s time to track down that rack of lamb, pasture raised turkey, prime beef rib, or heirloom breed pork sausage. Local […]
AUBO Robotics Opens Research Facility at Cherokee Farm Innovation Campus
AUBO Robotics, which develops lightweight robots for industrial use, has opened a research and development facility at Cherokee Farm Innovation Campus in Knoxville. AUBO Robotics opened in Knoxville in 2014 as Smokie Robotics and was formerly located at the University of Tennessee Research Foundation Business Incubator. The company is owned by DunAn Group and operates […]
“Weird” Veggies Are Favorites You Just Haven’t Tried
A stranger is just a friend you haven’t yet met, the saying goes. The same is true for the unfamiliar vegetables that will be showing up at farmers markets and in community supported agriculture (CSA) boxes this summer. As the national movement toward eating more fresh and local produce grows, so does the need for […]
Gatlinburg Earns National Recognition for Wildfire Preparedness
The city of Gatlinburg, Tenn. will host a ceremony to celebrate earning Firewise USA recognition on May 23 at 3 p.m. EDT at Rocky Top SportsWorld in Gatlinburg. To become Firewise, the Gatlinburg community conducted wildfire hazard assessments and developed protection plans to address safety concerns with guidance from the Gatlinburg Fire Department, Great Smoky […]
Spring Frost, Freezes Are Factors in Fruit Production
Spring frosts or freezes are major limiting factors in consistent production for commercial and home fruit growers throughout Jefferson County. In many years, temperatures during the period leading up to and just past bloom drop to the point where bud damage may occur. Several Factors play a role in the amount of damage actually received. […]
Plunging Temperatures Have Strawberry Farmers Covering Crops
Tennessee’s eagerly-anticipated strawberry season is a month away, but the frigid weekend forecast has many growers watching the weather and covering their crops. Some areas of the state will experience temperatures dipping into the 20s. Tennessee strawberry growers are accustomed to cold snaps and say they are prepared to keep this year’s crop on target […]
2018 Advanced Master Beef Producer Program
The University Of Tennessee Jefferson County Extension Offices are announcing plans for the 2018 Advanced Master Beef Producer Multi County Program. Producers are asked to pre-register for the class by February 28th. The class will be, March 24 9am-3pm, March 27 6pm-9pm, March 29 6pm-9pm, and March 31 9am-3pm. This program will be in Knoxville […]
A Changing Climate, A Changing Wine
If you want to buy good wine, Elizabeth Wolkovich says stop looking at labels and listen to your taste buds. An Assistant Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Wolkovich is among the co-authors of a new study, which suggests that, though vineyards might be able to counteract some of the effects of climate change by […]
New Requirements Proposed for Herbicide Use
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is proposing new rules and requirements for use of herbicides containing dicamba in the commercial production of cotton and soybeans. TDA is seeking approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a Special Local Needs [24(c)] label to further restrict use of new formulation products in Tennessee including […]
Workshops on FSA Committee Elections and Programs
The Jefferson/Sevier/Cocke County Farm Service Agency will conduct a workshop at the Jefferson County Extension Office conference room on Tuesday, July 11 at 10:00 am. The Extension Office is located at 1111 Lake Drive, Dandridge. How to submit a nomination and voters eligibility will be reviewed at the workshop. Current FSA Farm Programs will be […]
FSA HOLDING MEETING ON PROGRAMS AND ELECTIONS
The Jefferson/Sevier/Cocke County Farm Service Agency will conduct a meeting at the Jefferson County Agriculture Extension Office conference room on Thursday June 15 at 10:00 am. The Extension office is located at 1111 Lake Drive in Dandridge. Subjects covered will be the Farm Service Agency’s role in the farming community, County Committee Election, and farm […]
USDA Farm Service Agency County Committee Nomination Period Begins June 15
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today that the nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins on Thursday, June 15, 2017. “County committees allow farmers and ranchers to make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally to best serve their needs,” said Acting FSA Administrator Chris Beyerhelm. “We […]
Tennessee Future Farmers of America State Officers Elected
During the 89th Tennessee FFA State Convention, March 26-29, the 2017-2018 Tennessee FFA State Officer Team was elected to serve the Association. The eight individuals elected are: President, Julia Knaggs, Station Camp; Secretary, Erin Bacon, Jefferson County; West Tennessee Vice President, Allie Jo Shankle, Paris; Middle Tennessee Vice President, Mary Lane Minatra, Eagleville; East Tennessee Vice President, Kenzie Bastian, David […]
Organic Farmers Offered Reimbursement for Certification Costs
Tennessee farmers who grow organic crops and have become USDA certified can now qualify for a cost share reimbursement for the expense of their certification. Beginning March 20, 2017, certified organic producers and handlers can apply to USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices for a 75 percent cost share up to a maximum of $750 […]
