The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is accepting applications for the 2020 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) program until Sept. 11. Departments may now apply for VFA Wildland Fire Suppression Kits to supplement their department's wildland firefighting capacity.

The Tennessee Corn Promotion Board will meet Aug. 12, 2020 at 1 p.m. CDT at the University of Tennessee Research & Education Center, 3A Ledbetter Gate Road in Milan, Tenn.

Farmers markets throughout Tennessee have worked diligently to connect producers of fresh, local foods to consumers safely. From visiting a new market to lighting up the night in Nashville, there are many ways to celebrate farmers markets during National Farmers Market Week Aug. 2-8, 2020.

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 Tennessee State Fair and Exposition Commission will meet by electronic means July 17, 2020 at 10 a.m. CDT.

The Tennessee Beef Promotion Board will meet July 17, 2020 at 1 p.m. CDT at the Tennessee Beef Industry Council located at 530 Brandies Circle Suite A in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

The Tennessee Dairy Promotion Committee will meet via conference call July 8, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. CDT.

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

The Tennessee Wine and Grape Board will meet July 8, 2020 at 10 a.m. CDT. In accordance with Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Orders 16 and 51, the Tennessee Wine and Grape Board will meet and conduct business by electronic means.