Newsroom

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) will stock community agriculture libraries at Ellington Agricultural Center (EAC) in Nashville the week of March 21-25, 2022.

Gov. Bill Lee has proclaimed March 4 as Arbor Day in Tennessee to recognize the importance of planting and maintaining trees in our state. This year’s celebration will be held in Germantown in Shelby County.

Federal and state authorities say a case of avian influenza has been detected in a flock of commercial broiler chickens in Kentucky near the state’s border with Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is now accepting applications for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). SCBGP funds are granted to enhance production and competitiveness of specialty crops, including fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, tree nuts, honey, floriculture, and other nursery crops.

The State Veterinarian confirmed today that Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2 (RHDV2) was detected in a domesticated rabbit in East Tennessee.

Marking the milestone of 100 years of celebration, the Tennessee Association of Fairs is recognizing the state’s outstanding county, regional, and state agricultural fairs. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) joined the Tennessee Association of Fairs (TAF) for their 100th anniversary annual convention, which took place Jan. 20-22 in Murfreesboro.

A farmer known for dedication to and leadership within the agricultural community, Jeff Aiken has been appointed Deputy Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. made the announcement today. Beginning Mar. 1, Aiken will oversee many of the day-to-day operations for the department and assist in directing staff, supporting programs and services, and collaborating on policy development.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is scaling up efforts to prevent damage by the gypsy moth. Starting Jan. 12, 2022, the Division will accept bids to trap the tree pest in Johnson, Carter, Sullivan, Washington, and Unicoi Counties.

Governor Bill Lee is honoring Dr. Adam Travis of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) for exceptional service to the state and his fellow Tennesseans with the Governor’s Excellence in Service Award. Travis is the administrator of the Technical Services Laboratory for TDA’s Consumer and Industry Services (CIS) Division and the interim director of the C.E. Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory.

This Saturday is the perfect day to start your holiday shopping with gifts sourced from Tennessee farms and food businesses. November 27 is set aside for Small Business Saturday to encourage shoppers to support local businesses. Gift buying is easy in your area with Pick Tennessee Products.

The Animal Health Division of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture announces Dr. Alexa McCourt, D.V.M. as director of the One Health program. One Health is a collaborative effort among veterinarians, physicians, environmental scientists, public health professionals, and others to address health challenges that affect people, animals, plants, and the environment. Dr. McCourt will oversee the department’s role in improving communication and outcomes for a variety of health concerns, including emerging infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, and emergency preparedness.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) today announced the Tennessee Riparian Incentive Program. This program is a ten-year agreement between TDA and TVA, and it will provide incentive payments to streamside landowners to help restore and protect Tennessee waters.

Tennessee's state veterinarian confirms a horse in Weakley County, Tenn. tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The horse was euthanized due to the severity of the case.

Landowners can increase the value of their land, enhance water quality, and maintain healthy woods with the Duck and Elk Watershed Initiative. The cost share application is open for landowners in the 13-county watershed until Oct. 29, 2021. Counties include Bedford, Coffee, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Humphreys, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, and Williamson.

National Fire Prevention Week is observed this week to educate citizens about fire prevention and safety. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry joins the effort to promote fire prevention awareness and reminds citizens that our state is heading into fire season. A debris burn permit is required for leaf and brush piles from Oct. 15 until May 15 each season.