UT Extension announces 2014 continuing education for Tennessee producers, forest managers

Certification programs available for a variety of operations and commodities

University of Tennessee Extension is encouraging the state’s producers and forest managers to earn continuing education Master Producer certificates by completing educational programs designed to help them improve their products and cultural practices.

Tennessee’s farms, nurseries and forests contribute more than $66 billion to the state’s economy and account for more than 337,880 jobs, but the goal is to improve those numbers. As part of the state agricultural leaders’ 10-year strategic plan to increase rural Tennessee’s capacity to produce, beginning in 2014 UT Extension will be offering updated Master Producer educational programs for beef cattle, dairy cattle, and goat producers. Additional courses will be available for the state’s beekeepers, equine owners, loggers and nursery operators.

“These educational opportunities provide practical, science-based information that producers can implement on their operations,” said Robert Burns, assistant dean of UT Extension. Included among the training opportunities will be the new Advanced Master Beef Producer program.

Burns added that course offerings will vary by county and region across the state, so interested persons should contact their local county UT Extension office for information regarding what training will be available locally.

UT Extension contact information and calendars, including course offerings, can be found online at utextension.tennessee.edu.  Just click on “County & Region Offices” link on the left column to find a direct link to contact information for your county. You may also find UT Extension listed in your local phone book under the “government” section.

UT Extension provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture. With an office in every Tennessee county, UT Extension delivers educational programs and research-based information to citizens throughout the state. In cooperation with Tennessee State University, UT Extension works with farmers, families, youth and communities to improve lives by addressing problems and issues at the local, state and national levels.