Yearly Archives: 2013
USDA 2013 Farm Income Projections
What kind of year will farmers have in this brand new 2013? Gary Crawford has some tentative projections from an expert in this report.
TAEP Offers More On Line
The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program has improved to offer more options on line that producers can take advantage of. www.tn.gov/agriculture/enhancement
Just Short of Falling off the Fiscal Cliff
There’s good news and bad news when it comes to averting the “fiscal cliff.” American Farm Bureau Economist Matt Erickson explains in this story...
Music City Hosting AFBF Convention
Thousands of farm leaders from across the country are headed to Nashville this week for the American Farm Bureau’s annual convention.
TN General Assembly back in Session
House and Senate members of the 108th Tennessee General Assembly are back on capitol hill in Nashville for the start of the new session.
AFBF 94th Convention
Many Voices, One Vision is the theme for this year’s 94th Annual meeting held in Nashville, Tennessee and farmers from all over the country...
Challenges and Risks of farming for young farmers
Having crop insurance is just about a given, but it’s not the biggest concern of young and beginner farmers. Susan Carter reports.
Sec. Vilsak wants Congress to act on 5-Year Farm Bill
THIS TIME OF YEAR, FARMERS ACROSS TENNESSEE AND AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE MAKING PLANS FOR THE NEW CROP SEASON, AND WHILE THE CURRENT FARM...
94th American Farm Bureau Convention in Nashville
Tenn. Farm Bureau President Lacy Upchurch welcomes the more than 5000 farmers and ranchers from across the country to the AFBF annual meeting at...
Ag Secretary Promoting Rural America
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke to more than 6000 farmers and ranchers at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Nashville.
AFBF Delegates Move Agenda Forward
Thousands of farmers from all across the country were in Nashville recently for the American Farm Bureau’s 94th annual meeting. During the groups business...
Planning and Pace Key Points to Farm Safety
Planning and pace are key points to safety on your farm.
Smithsonian to Partner with Farmers
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is looking to the public to record and preserve the innovations and experiences of farming and ranching.
Raising Rural Americas Presence and Voice
The Ag Secretary is challenging rural America to ensure its voice is more clearly heard and understood.
Where’s the Snow?
Weather watchers are wondering if there will be much snow this season across the country. So far, we haven’t had very much.
Higher Beef Prices
Food shoppers can get ready to pay even more for beef this year. USDA’s Gary Crawford reports.
Farm Leaders Take Issues to the Hill
Farm Bureau leaders across the state are preparing to contact their lawmakers in Nashville and Washington on the issues that effect their livelihood.
Wildlife, Rural Landowner Partnership
The state’s diversity in wildlife is dependent on the partnership with farm and rural landowners.
Ag improvements in Afghanistan
Former Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture for the TN Department of Agriculture Louis Buck spent a year working for the Pentagon to improve the agricultural...
Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Farmer Member
Fentress County farmer Jim Bledsoe is now the farmer’s voice on the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Efforts to get 4-H Camp back in West TN
It’s been over four years since the Milan 4-H Camp closed and now efforts are moving forward to bring a camp back to West...
Progress on Immigration Reform
Finally! Members of the Senate have moved immigration reform off the backburner. American Farm Bureau Labor Specialist Kristi Boswell explains why that’s so important...
TDEC’s New Focus
The TN Department of Environment and Conservation is working to have better relationships with other state departments and Tennessee citizens.
Poultry Industry’s Impact
Tennessee’s poultry industry has expanded in recent years to be valued at $4.8 billion and that’s helping family farms stay on the farm.
Groundhog’s Predictions
This year the groundhog did predict an early spring, but how accurate is the groundhog in predicting the weather. Gary Crawford has this report.
Farmer’s Voice in Congress
Tenn. and American farmers are continuing to push for a 5-year Farm Bill in Congress.
Young Farmers National Leadership Conference
About 800 Young Farmers from across the nation, including about 30 from Tennessee, recently took part in the American Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers &...
Harvest for All
Twenty-eight million meals were served in 2012 thanks to Farm Bureau families across the country who donated a record breaking amount of food, time...
Healthy Soils
A LOT MORE ATTENTION THESE DAYS TO PROTECTING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES LIKE THE AIR AND WATER, BUT ALSO FARMERS AND RANCHERS CONTINUE TO LOOK...
Proposed Farm Cuts Would Hurt
American Farm Bureau’s Exec. Director of Public Policy says a new $110 billion fiscal policy proposal from Sen. Majority Leader HARRY REID will create much...
Food Check-Out Week
Farmers and ranchers in Tennessee and all across the country are paricipating in Food Check-Out Week (Feb. 17-23) to reach out in their communities...
Gov. Haslam Honors BSA
Gov. Bill Haslam was the keynote speaker for the Boy Scouts of America patron luncheon for the Duck River District.
National FFA Week
Tennessee state FFA officers have been traveling throughout the state on their Goodwill Tour during National FFA Week.
Balancing Extracurricular Activities for Youth
A child can be over committed in the number of extracurricular activities they participate in. USDA’s Rod Bain asks a child expert at the...
Farm Programs Targeted for Budget Cuts
The nation’s largest farm organization is all for greater fiscal responsibility, but American Farm Bureau Farm Policy Specialist Mary Kay Thatcher says farmers and...
Rep. DesJarlais on Farm Bill
Rep. Scott DesJarlais recently spoke to Tenn’s Young Farmers & Ranchers at their annual Tenn. Young Leaders Conference held with the Tenn. Council of...
‘Music City Miracle’ Call Transcends Sports
Tenn. Titan’s play-by-play announcer Mike Keith recently spoke to Tenn. Young Farmers & Ranchers attending their annual TN Young Leaders Conference in Franklin.
Popcorn Farmer Leading AFBF YF&R
Zach Hunnicut, a 5th generation farmer from Nebraska, is the new Chair. of the AFBF Young Farmers & Ranchers national committee and he was...
Maintaining Strong Farm Policy
With such a small percentage of our citizens living and working on farms, it may be easy to understand how farm policy could be...
Planting Season Approaching Fast
Farmers attending the Mid-South Farm & Gin show in Memphis are excited about the new crop season.
Lawmakers Visit Ellington Ag Center
Members of the state House Ag and Natural Resources Committee recently held their committee menting at the home of the Tenn. Department of Agriculture.
State Forester Protecting, Promoting our Trees
TN State Forester has wanted his job since the day he went to work for the TN Division of Forestry in 1975.
Repurposing on the Farm
Producers can take advantage of cheaper repurposed materials instead of buying new items for the farm. Susan Carter reports.
Young Farmer Survey
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual survey of young farmers and ranchers shows they are using technology in all aspects of their lives.. AFBF’s...
Time to Update Our Waterways
You may not ever see one of the nation’s locks, may pay no attention to our inland waterway system, but they’re more important to...
Farm Leaders on the Hill
THIS WEEK IN NASHVILLE, FARM BUREAU LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE HAVE BEEN VISTING THEIR LAWMAKERS AS PART OF THEIR ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE VISITS.
Farm Leaders on the Hill
THIS WEEK IN NASHVILLE, FARM BUREAU LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE HAVE BEEN VISIING THEIR LAWMAKERS AS PART OF THEIR ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE VISITS.
First Lady’s Kitchen & Cutting Garden
Tenn’s First Lady Chrissy Haslam is working to renovate and restore the grounds of the Tennessee Residence by putting in a kitchen & cutting...
Growing Our Ag Industry
Farm leaders from across the state are part of Gov. Haslam’s steering committee to look at ways of doubling ag economic impact over the...
National Ag Day
Tenn. Ag Commissioner Julius Johnson talks about ag importance to local, state economy.
WKRN Wins Omelet Cook-Off on Ag Day
The four major TV stations in Nashville competed in an Omelet Cook-Off during a promotion for National Ag Day at the Tenn. Ag Museum.
Congress Keeps Government Open
Congress averted Another fiscal crisis with time to spare! American Farm Bureau’s Johnna Miller explains. .
TN FFA Star Greenhand
Conlee Lea of the Brighton FFA Chapter was named the Star Greenhand during the 85th TN FFA Convention.
TN FFA Star in AgriScience; Extemp Winner
Jason Joy of the Covington FFA Chapter was named Star in AgriScience during the 85ht TN FFA Convention; Kevin Robertson of Wilson Central won...
New TN FFA President Named
Sara Best of the Cookeville FFA Chapter was named state president of the TN FFA Association during the 85th annual convention.
4-H Congress Officers Elected
Three new officers were elected as Governor, Speaker of the Senate and Speaker of the House during the 66th TN 4-H Congress.
Greater Efficiencies at USDA
USDA’s efforts to streamline operations and tighten its budgetary belts are producing results. Rod Bain reports.
Ag Day on the Hill
Tennessee lawmakers celebrated Ag Day on the Hill at the state capitol.
Ag Majors Increasing
Enrollment in the state’s agricultural colleges is on the increase. Dr. Caula Beyl, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at...
Black Bear Population Increasing
State officials are expecting even more black bears in Tennessee this Spring. TWRA’s Dan Gibbs explains.
Progress for Ag Labor Legislation
Congress continues their debate over negotiating a new immigration policy. And agricultural labor is an important part of the negotiations.
TN 5th Graders Help Plant White House Kitchen Garden
Faculty and students of the Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Technology Academy of Knoxville were invited to help First Lady Michelle Obama plant the White...
AFBF Farm Bill Proposal
Congress has to start all over again on writing a new farm bill. With a tighter budget it’s that much harder. The American Farm Bureau...
Cooperatively Sharing Agriculture’s Story
TENNESSEE FARMERS COOPERATIVE HEADQUARTERED IN LAVERGNE, TN, IS NOW IN ITS 67TH YEAR OF SERVICE TO ITS FARMER MEMBERS ACROSS THE STATE. BUT THEY...
Logger Recognized by TN General Assembly
Sam & Jennifer Trott of Trott Lumber Company in Shelbyville were recognized this spring by the Tennessee General Assembly with a resolution for their...
Tax Day Reminder for Tax Reform
As most folks had to file their tax returns this week, the American Farm Bureau wants to remind law makers about changes that would...
Corn Planting Waits on Mother Nature
Tennessee corn farmers have been waiting for some time for the ground to dry enough to get this year’s crop in the ground.
Road Safety for Farm Equipment
Caution urged for farmers and the public as farm equipment moving up and down roadways during planting season.
Stopping Animal Cruelty Quickly
Bill passes TN General Assembly that requires anyone intentionally photographing animal cruelty to hand over evidence to law enforcement authorities within 48 hours.
Immigration Reform a Big Deal for Agriculture
It has a long way to become law, but the introduction of a bipartisan immigration reform bill is a big deal for U.S. agriculture....
Lessons from the Garden
Students at Riverside Elementary in Columbia planted their own garden at school thanks to an Outdoor Garden grant from TN Ag In The Classroom....
Rising Farmland Values
The rapidly rising value of farmland has many people concerned about what will happen if those prices collapse.
TN Division of Forestry
Jere Jeter heads up the Tennessee Division of Forestry.
Blanket of Protection
THIS TIME OF YEAR ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT SPRING IN TENNESSEE IS POPPING UP ALL AROUND, FRESH STRAWBERRIES. AND UNFORTUNATELY, FARMERS THAT...
TN FFA Officers
Newly elected TN FFA officers: West TN Vice President, Treasurer.
A Voice for Annexation Laws
STATE REP. MIKE CARTER OF OOTEWAH SAYS LEGISLATION THAT HE SPONSORED THIS YEAR IN THE TENN. GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADDRESSES AN ANNEXATION ISSUE THAT ALLOWED...
Service Time for the Home AC Unit
Your home air conditioning unit may need a little work before it starts its summer job. Gary Crawford has more
Poultry Industry’s Impact
Tennessee’s poultry industry has expanded in recent years to be valued at $4.8 billion and that’s helping family farms stay on the farm.
FFA Plant Sales
AG STUDENTS AT DYER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL HAVE ONCE AGAIN GOT THEIR GREEN THUMBS GOING THIS SPRING AS THEY HAVE GROWN THOUSANDS OF PLANTS...
Favorite Field Trip: Farm Day
One of the best field trips of the year for Tennessee elementary students is when they visit a farm.
Another Challenging Planting Season
Corn planting across Tennessee has been delayed again from more wet weather, but there’s still hope of getting the crop in.
Senate to vote on Infrastructure Improvments
Do you think we’d have the biggest economy in the world if we were still using Model Ts and biplanes to get around? Well,...
Wake Up With Al
NBC’s Al Roker spent his morning on the Hatcher Family Dairy in College Grove as part of the Today Show’s ‘Wake Up With Al’...
Too Much Mulch
A landscape expert says most of us go way overboard on applying mulch around trees and shrubs.
Gov. Vetoes Livestock Protection Act
Gov. Haslam has vetoed the Livestock Protection Act; bill sponsors say they will address concerns and bring it back.
Teach the Children Well
THE SCHOOL BELL’S ARE ABOUT TO RING THE FINAL TIME FOR MANY KIDS ACROSS TENNESSEE THIS SPRING AND THEY’RE OFF FOR THE SUMMER. BUT...
The Future of Farming
TN’S 8TH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN STEVEN FINCHER, A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE IS AMONG THOSE MEMBERS WORKING TO WRITE A NEW 5-YEAR FARM...
UT Extension Value
The economic impact of the University of Tennessee Extension Service is paying off big dividends for all citizens of Tennessee.
Comparing the Senate/House Farm Bills
The American Farm Bureau compares the House and Senate Ag Committees versions of the Farm Bill.
Water Resources Development Act
The Senate is on a roll! In this case, rolling down the river by passing it’s version of the Water Resources Development Act.
UT Gardens now State Botanical Gardens
THIS SPRING THE TENN. GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED A BILL THAT DESIGNATES THE University of Tennessee Gardens as the official state botanical garden.
Keeping Ticks Away
Tick populations are expanding, causing more worries about Lyme disease. Gary Crawford has an expert with some tips for keeping ticks off of you.
Produce Farmers Slow Start
The same weather that’s been holding back row crop producers is having the same impact on produce farmers.
Honoring Those Who Serve
IF IT WERE’NT FOR THE THOUSANDS OF SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DIED FOR THIS COUNTRY, WE WOULDN’T HAVE THE FREEDOMS WE ENJOY TODAY...