SBA Disaster Loan Deadline in Tennessee is Approaching
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and private nonprofit organizations located in Tennessee that May 26, 2015 is the deadline to apply for a working capital disaster loan as a result of combined effects of frost and drought from Jan. 1, 2014 through Aug. 12, […]
USDA Finalizes Procedures for Sorghum Referendum
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing procedures for the upcoming referendum regarding the continuation of the Sorghum Checkoff Program and is announcing the dates it will conduct the referendum. The Sorghum Promotion, Research, and Information Order requires that a referendum be conducted no later than seven years after the start of assessments, which […]
Looking at Hay Needs for 2015 and 2016
Most producers this time of year are not thinking about hay needs for next winter, but rather they wonder whether they will have enough hay to finish out this winter. However, March is a good time to evaluate what will be needed in terms of feed resources for the following winter. “March is an ideal […]
USDA Reminds Jefferson/Sevier/Cocke County Producers of March 15 Sales Closing Date for Noninsurable Crops
The Executive Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Jefferson/Sevier/CockeCounty, CED James L. Giffin, urges producers who want to purchase coverage through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) to do so before the sales closing date of March15, 2015. NAP provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops […]
RANCH RODEO AT GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS EXPO CENTER
This year’s Ranch Rodeo will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Great Smoky Mountains Expo Center in White Pine. The rodeo is one of the most popular events of the annual Walters State Ag Club Winter Horse Series. The Ranch Rodeo features teams of professional cowboys and cowgirls competing in events like calf […]
Tennessee’s Annual Cotton Focus Scheduled for February 12
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture’s annual Cotton Focus program is scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2015, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Jackson, Tenn. Geared toward producers and agriculture industry professionals, Cotton Focus is packed with useful information for the upcoming cropping season in a succinct, half-day format. Registration begins at 8 a.m. CST and […]
Still Time to Register for East Tennessee Grain and Soybean Conference
The East Tennessee Grain and Soybean Conference, sponsored by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, will focus on improving production in East Tennessee. Topics for the program will include disease, insect, and weed control; when to run the fan; and managing your crops from the ground up. This production program will be held at […]
More than Half of Nation’s Dairy Producers Enroll in New Margin Protection Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that more than 23,000 of the nation’s dairy operations – over half of all dairy farms in America – have enrolled in the new safety-net program created by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Margin Protection Program. The voluntary program provides financial assistance to […]
2015 Farm Bill Meetings for Producers, Landowners, and Agri-Industry
Row crops producers and other interested parties are encouraged to attend any of 12 meetings in early 2015 regarding the Farm Bill. University of Tennessee Extension, USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension Program are conducting these Farm Bill meetings across Tennessee. These meetings are free and open to the public. Topics […]
Pros and Cons of Selling at Farmers Markets
As this year comes to a close, the state’s farmers are beginning to think about next year’s crops and how to market them. Many are considering selling at farmers markets. If you are among them, here is some information from the University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture that may help with your decision. Farmers […]
USDA Extends Application Deadline for Dairy Margin Protection Program to Dec. 19
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the application deadline for the dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP) will be extended until Dec. 19, 2014. The program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, protects participating dairy producers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls […]
USDA Disaster Assistance to Help Thousands of Honeybee, Livestock and Farm-Raised Fish Producers
2014 Farm Bill Program Offers Producers in Over 40 States Relief for 2012 and 2013 Losses The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA today announced that nearly 2,500 applicants will receive disaster assistance through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) for losses suffered from Oct. 1, 2011, through Sept. 30, […]
Selling Directly From the Farm
Produce, products and experiences can sell well, but planning is required. More Tennessee farms are inviting the public onto the farm to purchase products. “Selling products directly from the farm can be an effective marketing strategy,” said Megan Leffew, a marketing specialist with the University of Tennessee Extension Center for Profitable Agriculture. However, she cautioned […]
Jefferson County Livestock Association Hosts Annual Fall Meeting
On October 13th , more than 120 members of the Jefferson County Livestock Association gathered for their annual fall meeting which was held at the Field of Dream Activity Center in Dandridge, TN. The group was treated to a great meal and good fellowship as well as a guest speaker. The speaker, Dr. Lew Strickland, […]
Jefferson County Farmer Witnesses Direct Impact of Soy Checkoff
Don Holbert of Dandridge, Tennessee, participated in the United Soybean Board’s 2014 See for Yourself program to learn about his customers beyond the elevator and the checkoff’s role in marketing U.S. soy to those customers. This year, Holbert was one of 10 U.S. soybean farmers who recently visited St. Louis, Panama and Ecuador with the […]
UT Gardens Listed Among Top University Gardens
Best Masters Programs, an online guide that helps students identify Master’s degree programs that suit their goals, has published a list of the 50 most stunning university gardens and arboretums. The list includes famous gardens from across the globe, from California to Copenhagen, and the University of Tennessee Gardens made the grade. Ranked as number 46, the UT […]
