“Reserve” is the Word for Your Holiday Bird
Most of us wish Thanksgiving promotions would hold off at least until summer is over. If you want a locally raised turkey on your table, however, there’s no time to spare. Farmers are taking reservations now for turkeys and other meats that are in high demand for the holidays. A directory of farms that accept […]
FSA Meeting to Review Committee Election Program
The Jefferson/Sevier/Cocke Farm Service Agency will conduct a meeting at the Jefferson County Agriculture Extension Office conference room on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 10:00 am. The Extension Office is located at 1111 Lake Drive, Dandridge. Voter eligibility and how elections are held will be discussed at the meeting. FSA program details will be reviewed. […]
UT Extension Appoints Interim Assistant Dean
University of Tennessee Extension has announced that Michael Buschermohle, a professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, has accepted the position of interim assistant dean of UT Extension, effective immediately. As interim assistant dean, Buschermohle will lead UT Extension’s programs in agricultural, natural resources and community economic development (ANR/CED). In announcing the […]
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 […]
Strawberries in March? It’s Happening in Tennessee
Seasonal eating is catching on. Farmers have responded to that trend of eating local foods when in season with efforts to extend the growing seasons of their crops. In Tennessee, one fruitful example of farmer ingenuity is the arrival of local strawberries in March. Some farmers jumpstart Tennessee’s famous strawberry crop with greenhouses and high […]
Haslam Eases Truck Restrictions To Help Farmers During Drought
With much of Tennessee and the Southeast coping with extreme drought, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has issued an executive order to ease restrictions on trucks hauling hay. “Agriculture is critical to our state’s economy, and rain is a critical ingredient that farmers need to keep their businesses running,” Haslam said. “This order will allow haulers […]
New Study Compares Transportation Energy Efficiency of Local and Conventional Food
Two researchers at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture find that farmers located closer to city centers seem to have a locational advantage in transportation over their long distance, conventional food supply chain competitors. In an article published June 20 in the spring 2016 issue of the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, […]
USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Results
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the enrollment of more than 800,000 acres in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) through the program’s 49th sign up period. Through CRP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) helps farmers offset the costs of restoring, enhancing and protecting certain grasses, shrubs and trees that improve water quality, prevent soil erosion […]
Preserving the Season Safely
Each year the University of Tennessee Extension suggest pressure canners be tested for accuracy. This year UT Extension will be testing canners at Leeper’s Hardware, 108 E Broadway Blvd., Jefferson City on May 26 and June 30 from 2:00-6:00 and at the Dandridge Farmer’s Market on June 4th 9:00-noon. There is no charge for the […]
USDA Reminds Jefferson/Sevier/Cocke County Producers of March 15 Sales Closing Date for Noninsurable Crops
Jefferson/Sevier/Cocke Farm Service Agency (FA) reminds producers who wish to purchase crop loss protection, for non-insurable crops for the 2016 crop year of the following final sales closing date: The following crops in Jefferson/Sevier/Cocke County have a NAP application closing date of March 15, 2016: Alfalfa, Beans, Cantaloupe, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Grass, Millet, Okra, Peas, […]
USDA Reminds Dairy Producers of Nov. 20, 2015 Deadline
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that almost half of all dairy farms in America have made their annual elections for 2016 coverage under the Margin Protection Program, and reminded producers who have not yet enrolled that they have until Nov. 20, to select coverage. Established by […]
USDA Announces Incentives to Establish Biomass Crops
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini announced that enrollment begins today for farmers and forest landowners seeking financial assistance for growing new sources of biomass for energy or biobased products within designated projects areas. The funds are available from the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by […]
USDA Offers Flood Impacted Tennessee Farmers and Ranchers Immediate Disaster Assistance
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Tennessee Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Gene Davidson reminds farmers and ranchers across the state of federal farm program benefits that may be available to help eligible producers recover from recent heavy rains and flooding. “These significant rain and flood events in Tennessee have left extensive damage in their […]
Jefferson/Sevier/Cocke County FSA Reminds Producers of Approaching Acreage Reporting Deadlines
Jefferson/Sevier/Cocke County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director James L. Giffin reminds producers of the July 15, 2015, acreage reporting deadline. “In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements and avoid late file fees, all producers are encouraged to visit the our office to file an accurate, timely crop certification report,” said Giffin. […]
USDA Packages Disaster Protection with Loans to Benefit Specialty Crop and Diversified Producers
May 28, 2015 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Gene Davidson today announced that producers who apply for FSA farm loans also will be offered the opportunity to enroll in new disaster loss protections created by the 2014 Farm Bill. The new coverage, available from the Noninsured Crop […]
USDA Reminds Farmers to Certify Conservation Compliance by June 1 Deadline
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) with their local USDA Service Center by June 1, 2015. The 2014 Farm Bill requires producers to have the form on file in order to remain eligible, or to become eligible for crop insurance […]
