Newsroom

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry will administer federal grant funds to help communities make their homes safer and more defensible from wildland fire.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. today announced 17 more businesses supported by the Agriculture Enterprise Fund (AEF), including 10 meat processing facilities.

Citizens have contacted the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) indicating they’ve received seeds in the mail that they did not order. The seeds appear to have been shipped from China, and in some cases, the envelopes are labeled jewelry or beads.

Two additional Tennessee counties have been quarantined for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) after the beetle was detected earlier this month. Hickman and Dickson Counties join 63 other counties under a state and federal EAB quarantine.

The State of Tennessee wants to make Tennesseans aware, that in several western states, there is currently an outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2). At present, RHDV2 has not been found in rabbits in Tennessee or any neighboring states.

Tennessee farmers who want to access additional markets and increase food safety can now do so with less expense. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) will reimburse qualified producers who become Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified. These producers can get 75% of the GAP certification inspection reimbursed, up to $1,500.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has now gone into effect, providing new market opportunities for Tennessee farmers.

The time to renew hemp growing licenses is here. The deadline to renew Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) hemp grower licenses is June 30, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. CDT.

Families faced with food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic are finding relief from food banks, retailers and producers, and there are more donations on the way.

Firefighters with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry deployed this week to help fight fires affecting the western United States.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has received numerous questions regarding the recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that bans the three most common commercial formulations of dicamba.

All of Tennessee’s 15 state forests are now certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Forest Management Standard. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry announced that all state forests—covering 168,359 acres—passed the third-party audit for forestry management practices. This independent certification assures that forests are managed sustainably, which is essential for clean water, wildlife habitat, and market access.

Farmers markets are opening across Tennessee and offering fresh, local food. Whether you’re looking for meat, produce, or artisan products, a farmers market near you provides easy access to local, quality products. Shopping at farmers markets also serves as one of the best ways to keep your money in your community.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner David Salyers today announced the winners of the 2020 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is warning livestock producers about a potential scam. Several Tennessee cattle farmers have recently been contacted by a person or persons indicating they want to buy cattle. The supposed buyer reaches out via text, claiming that a cashier’s check will be sent as payment with money added for shipping, and that the seller should contact the buyer once the payment is received.