Newsroom

As more warm spring days are in the forecast, Tennessee farms will quickly be offering fresh strawberries, greens, and even locally-grown cut flowers.

Pick Tennessee Products’ “Fill Your Grill” contest is back this year in plenty of time to plan your summer grilling menus. Winners will get to choose $200 in local meats from the Tennessee farm of their choice.

With a strong background in and commitment to the agriculture industry, Andy Holt has been appointed Assistant Commissioner for the Business Development Division at the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and special advisor to the Commissioner.

The state veterinarian confirms that a horse in Smith County has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The 22-year-old horse has been euthanized.

Cost share incentives for tree planting and forest stand improvement activities are currently offered in preparation for the May sign-up period. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry (TDF) encourages family woodland owners to apply for technical and financial assistance to establish or enrich their forests. Loggers can apply to improve harvesting capacity and enhance protection of water quality.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Agricultural Crime Unit (ACU) completed its investigation into the cause of two recent Sevier County wildland fires. “Based on the results of our origin and cause investigation, it was determined the two large wildland fires were caused by downed power lines,” ACU Captain Greg Whitehead said

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is funding urban forestry tree planting projects to help cities and counties, schools, and nonprofit organizations with conservation efforts. The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) Community Tree Planting Program applications are now open to help increase and enhance urban and community tree populations.

Trees are budding, flowers are blooming, and it’s time for landowners to consider improving riparian buffers, planting trees, and improving forest stands. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry (TDF) can help landowners near the Duck and Elk Rivers increase land value, enhance water quality, and maintain healthy woods through the Duck and Elk Watershed Initiative.

Tennessee farmers, agriculture officials, legislators, 4-H members, and FFA members gathered today with citizens from across the state for Ag Day on the Hill in Nashville. The event coincides with National Agriculture Week and recognizes the farmers and forestland owners who are dedicated to feeding, building, clothing, and fueling our world.

The state veterinarian is announcing that commercial poultry farms in Obion County that were part of a control zone to monitor for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) are no longer restricted.

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.

Farmers, agribusinesses, and agricultural leaders can learn about the significance of international trade on local agriculture production, markets, and economies at the 2022 Mid-South Agricultural Trade Conference on March 3, 2022. Attendees should register by Feb. 20. The conference will be held at Agricenter International located at 7777 Walnut Grove Rd. in Memphis, Tenn.