Yearly Archives: 2016
Aligning the Herd
Cattle producers who are members of the Tennessee Beef Alliance just held their August sale and by all accounts, another success.
No-till Shines Once Again
Curtis Halford, Chairman of the Tennessee House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, was one of the 2,000 attendees at the Milan No-Till Field Day....
First-Hand Assessment of Crop Insurance
Farmers here in Tennessee and around the country are weighing in on the benefits of crop insurance.
Representing Farmers in Washington
Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District stretches from Chattanooga to LaFollette, and Representative Chuck Fleischmann says its important for him to hear directly from farmers about...
Rural Votes Count
With the 2016 political season now ready to further escalate into the primary elections and then the general election, the American Farm Bureau has...
Representative Black Depends on Farmers
Representative Diane Black, who represents the state’s 6th Congressional District, recently met with Farm Bureau Leaders in Lebanon to discuss the issues.
Young Farmer Success
Jay and Alice Ann Yeargin have been named the Tennessee Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement award winners for 2016.
Farmers Outreach
Young Farmers gathered this past weekend for the Tennessee Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Summer Conference in Columbia. They participated in a service project with...
Governors School for the Ag Sciences
The Tennessee Governors School for the Agricultural Sciences has ended for the summer, but the students who attended were definitely challenged and changed.
A Passion for Farming
Farming gets in your blood and there’s no better way to describe that passion for Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers.
Farmers Believe in GMOs
As Tennessee farmers put their hopes on a good growing season for their crops like corn and soybeans, they’re hoping the rest of the...
Leadership Training Camp
State FFA President Makenzie Clark is one of the hosts of FFA camp this summer as she and her state officer team are leading...
Miss America Visits a TN Farm
Recently Miss America teamed up with the American Farm Bureau and their book First Peas to the Table.
A Family Affair
On her last Junior Beef Expo, Loudon County’s Emily Ivey captured the prize that she’s worked so hard for, the Supreme Champion Heifer.
It’s Cattle Show Time
The Tennessee Junior Beef Expo is winding down after a successful week for many 4-H and FFA members.
The Same but Different
Farmers across Tennessee weighing in on how the rain has or has not hit their farms so far this season.
Labeling Law on the Horizon
What is the current status of a new labeling law for genetically engineered food products?
Commissioner Templeton Meets with Farmers
Commissioner of Agriculture, Jai Templeton, recently met with farmers in East Tennessee to discuss agricultural issues facing the region.
Economic Analysis for the Future
Dr. Aaron Smith, Professor at the University of Tennessee shares about a study him and his students are completing for East Tennessee agriculture.
Go FFA
The Tennessee Go FFA program has been thriving for the past several years, allowing high school FFA members the chance to experience agriculture outside...
Ag at the Voting Polls
As the upcoming election approaches, it’s time to be thinking about what candidate has agriculture best in mind. State Representative Sabi’ Kumar shares more...
Happy Fourth of July
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual summer cookout survey finds popular food items remain priced near last year’s levels.
The Push for TPP
USDA acting Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse met with farmers and other business leaders to discuss the administration’s position and the benefits of passage of...
A Legend and Her Legacy
Pat Summitt will forever be remembered as one of the greatest coaches of all time. After winning her 8th National Championship in 2008, we...
Tobacco, Beef and More
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture hosted the Tobacco, Beef and More Field Day at the Highland Rim AgResearch and Education Center.
The Boys of Summer
The 3rd Annual Ag Night at the Chattanooga Lookouts Baseball Game was recently held where folks received information on our most important industry. TN’s...
GMOs not OMG
Monsanto’s Global Consumer Engagement Lead Holly Butka shared with leaders at the Farm Bureau Women Conference about the common misconceptions of genetically modified crops...
First Hand Knowledge
It’s not every day you see nutritionists and dieticians riding in a combine, harvesting wheat, but that’s exactly what a few did recently on...
Why is Agriculture Important
Why is agriculture important was the topic for the TN Farm Bureau Women Ag in the Classroom essay contest this year and Grace Ann...
Working to Improve Pollinator Health
There is no doubt one of our most important insects that many of us take for granted is the honey bee. Micheal Clements of...
Dry Start to Summer
Farmers here in Tennessee are blessed to have above average rainfall, at least compared to our friends to the west.
Down to the Wire
With the July 1st implementation blooming of the Vermont law on GMO labeling, the US Senate is down to the wire in hopes of...
Breaking Stereotypes
Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell recently visited a Tennessee farm where she addressed not only her platform of healthy children, strong America, but also...
TN FFA Star Tour
For the second year, Tennessee has taken their five FFA Stars on a week-long tour of Tennessee Agribusinesses and chapters to showcase the Supervised...
June Dairy Month Chairs Highlight Dairy in Their Communities
June is dairy month and almost every county in Tennessee elects a June Dairy Month Chairman to help spread the word during June.
Less Drought, Better Conditions for Crops and Livestock
The shrinking area of US drought coverage is best highlighted by how crops this year – from winter wheat to hay – are doing...
National Leadership Forum
Each year Tennessee Farm Bureau sponsors student leaders from across the state to attend Harding University’s National Leadership Forum and Jackson Gravitt was one...
Lots of Great Ways to Celebrate the Outdoors
There are several activities and events planned for National Great Outdoors Month and many ways for you to take part.
Passion for Dairy
Recently at the June Dairy Month Kickoff the American Dairy Association named Julie Walker the Dairy Promoter of the Year.
June Dairy Month
June is dairy month and all month long we will be highlighting the state’s dairy farmers and the importance of getting dairy in your...
Tennessee 4-H Tours the State
TN 4-H Extension Specialist Justin Crowe traveled with this premier 4-H Ambassador group this summer across the state on a tour visiting agricultural stakeholders.
A June Dairy Celebration
Loudon County Dairy Farmer Randy Davis serves as president of the American Dairy Association of Tennessee, and they sponsored a kickoff luncheon in Nashville...
Dry Conditions Hurting Farmers
Farmers in southern Middle Tennessee and along the southeastern counties have been extremely dry for the past several weeks.
Milk Production Continues to Increase
The nation’s dairy producers continue to boost production, even though prices are falling. USDA’s Gary Crawford has more.
Safety Comes First
Robertson County Farmer, Buddy Bryant, says highway safety must be a top priority for both farmers driving their farm equipment and those they are trying to...
Thankful for Service
This Memorial Day should remind us all of the freedoms we enjoy thanks to those that paid that ultimate sacrifice.
Tomato Time in Tennessee
East Tennessee’s Renea Rogers is at least thankful right now that she has the migrant help she needs to begin planting her tomato crop.
The Roots of Success
TN’S Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Randy Boyd traveled with Gov. Bill Haslam this spring on a recruiting trip of sorts to Asia.
Early Beans Going in Fast
For soybean farmers like Alan Meadows of Lauderdale County, the past few days have been ideal for planting this year’s crop.
A Survey on Honey Bee Colonies
What are some of the findings of a first-of-its-kind USDA survey on honey bee colonies?
Get Ready to Fire Up the Grill
The Tennessee Beef Industry Council is a great resource for summer recipes and more for the grill.
TLP Industry Partner Day
Tennessee Livestock Producers recently had an industry partner and customer appreciation day at their Columbia Livestock Center.
EPA’s Water Rule Still Upsetting to Farmers
Tennessee Congressman Scott Desjarlais speaking at a House Agriculture Subcommittee meeting on how the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the U.S. Rule will impact...
Eager to Serve
20 YEAR OLD COOKEVILLE NATIVE AMY MORGAN IS COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS UNTIL A GRUELING PROCESS OF INTERVIEWS WILL BEGIN FOR HER AS SHE...
Cotton Planters Rolling
3RD GENERATION FAYETTE COUNTY FARMER BOB WALKER SAYS THEY ARE APPROACHING COMPLETION OF THE 3000 ACRES OF COTTON HE AND HIS BROTHER WILL PLANT...
The Explosion of Farmers Markets
THE NUMBER OF FARMERS MARKETS TODAY IS ABOUT TWICE IT WAS JUST TEN YEARS AGO.
School Plant Sales
HIGH SCHOOL AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE GROW AND SELL GARDEN AND LANDSCAPING PLANTS IN THE SPRING AND DANIEL BOONE HIGH SCHOOL IN EAST...
TPP Would Boost Ag Exports
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS BY THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU INDICATES THE TRANS PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP IS A NET POSITIVE FOR U.S. AGRICULTURE.
Learning to Teach
NATE REPETZ WILL GRADUATE WITH A DEGREE IN AG EDUCATION AND HE AND 6 OTHER STUDENTS FROM PENN STATE UNIVERSITY HAVE BEEN TRAVELING IN...
Ag Science
WHEN GLYNDAR HASKIN WAS VISITING FARMS IN TENN RECENTLY, SHE HAD ONE OF THOSE ‘AHA’ MOMENTS WHEN IT CLICKED FOR HER THAT HER PRECONCIEVED...
Farm Bureau Leaders Advocate on Capitol Hill
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FARMERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING HERE IN TENNESSEE, HEAD TO THE NATION’S CAPITOL TO VISIT WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO...
That Sinking Feeling
IF YOU HAVE THAT SINKING FEELING LIKE YOU HAVE THE FLU, IT MIGHT NOT BE FROM A FLU VIRUS, IT MAY BE FROM YOUR...
Farm Bureau Seeks Rural Entrepreneurs
THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU WILL ONCE AGAIN HOLD THEIR RURAL ENTRPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE.
Strawberry Time
NO DOUBT ONE OF THE SWEETEST TREASURES THIS TIME OF YEAR ARE FRESH STRAWBERRIES AND THANKS TO COOPERATION FROM MOTHER NATURE AND SOME HARD...
Trying New Foods
ARE YOU AFRAID TO TRY NEW FOODS? THERE ARE LOTS OF NEW FRUITS AND VEGETABLES OUT THERE, BUT MANY OF US ARE RELUCTANT TO...
Great Service to Tennessee
GOV. BILL HASLAM SHOWED HIS RESPECT FOR HIS VERY FIRST CABINENT APPOINTMENT, JULIS JOHNSON, RETIRING AS THE 36TH TN COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.
Ag Star Program Creates Stronger Voice
SINCE 2002 MORE THAN 150 WEST TNSANS INVOLVED IN THE AG COMMUNITY HAVE BENEFITED FROM WHAT’S KNOWN AS THE AG STAR PROGRAM.
Ag Students Embrace UAV Technology
UT MARTIN MASTERS STUDENT PATTON WEBB SAYS THE POTENTIAL OF THE AG INDUSTRY’S WORK WITH UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYTEMS OR DRONES IS BASICALLY UNLIMITED.
Visa Delays Creating Labor Shortage
FARMERS RELYING ON AGRICULTURAL VISA PROGRAMS ARE SEEING DELAYS LEADING TO LABOR SHORTAGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING HERE IN TENNESSEE.
Ag Lab for Kids
STUDENTS AT JERE WHITSON ELELMENTARY SCHOOL IN COOKEVILLE ARE IN FOR A GREAT EDUCATION AS THE GROUND HAS BROKEN ON A NEW EXTENDED LEARNING...
Earth Day Every Day for Farmers
TODAY WE CELEBRATE EARTH DAY, WHICH SERVES AS A CALL TO ACTION FOR THOSE AROUND THE WORLD TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING OUR NATURAL...
The Way to Go
STATE REP. JAMIE JENKINS OF SOMMERVILLE HAS SERVED HIS TIME ADMIRABLY IN THE TENN. GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Corn Planting Takes Off
THE WEATHER MOST CORN PRODUCERS WERE WAITING ON IS FINALLY HERE. AND AS A RESULT CORN PLANTERS ARE MOVING THROUGH FIELDS RATHER QUICKLY
Ramsey Heads Home
WHEN THE GAVEL FALLS FOR THE LAST TIME THIS WEEK FOR THE 109TH TENN. GENERAL ASSEMBLY, LT GOV. RON RAMSEY WILL BE HEADED BACK...
Discussion Wins Case IH Tractor
28 YEAR OLD HUNTER GRILLS OF DYER COUNTY IS THE LATEST TN YOUNG FARMER TO PICK UP A NICE PRIZE FOR HIS EFFORTS IN...
New Leadership for TN FFA
RECENTLY AT THE TENNESSEE STATE FFA CONVENTION A NEW SLATE OF STATE OFFICERS WAS ELECTED WITH ALLISON PARKER ANNOUNCED AS STATE SENTINEL.
Young Farmer Gets His Tractors
MONTGOMERY COUNTY YOUNG FARMER JAY HEAD WAS HONORED IN 2015 AS THE STATE’S TOP YOUNG FARMER OF THE YEAR WITH THE TENN. FARM BUREAU’S...
Ag Science
WHEN GLYNDAR HASKIN WAS VISITING FARMS IN TENN RECENTLY, SHE HAD ONE OF THOSE “A-HA” MOMENTS WHEN IT CLICKED FOR HER THAT HER PRECONCIEVED...
Covering Up
TENNESSEE STRAWBERRY GROWERS ARE HOPEFUL FOR ANOTHER PROFITABLE PICKING SEASON, BUT FIRST THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH A ROUND OF POTENTIAL FREEZING WEATHER THIS...
Corn Planting Intentions High for Now
THE USDA MARCH PLANTING INTENTIONS REPORT NUMBER FOR CORN ACREAGE WAS A SURPRISE TO MANY, BUT EXPERTS SAY THAT WILL LIKELY CHANGE.
Monsanto Grant Awarded to Willis
COFFEE COUNTY FARMER BOB WILLIS WAS RECENTLY AWARDED A MONSANTO AMERICA’S FARMERS GROW COMMUNITIES DONATION OF $2500 TOWARD HIS CHOICE OF A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION.
Enhancing the Dairy
SEVERAL TN DAIRY FARMERS ATTENDED THE PROFESSIONAL DAIRY PRODUCERS OF WISCONSIN ANNUAL BUSINESS CONFERENCE IN MADISON, WISCONSIN
New Program Promotes Farm Safety
THERE’S NO DOUBT FARMING IS ONE OF OUR COUNTRY’S MOST DANGEROUS INDUSTRIES AND THERE’S A NEW INTITATIVE THAT PROVIDES A ONE-STOP SOURCE FOR FARM...
Templeton Next Ag Commissioner
GOV. BILL HASLAM HAS NAMED JAI TEMPLETON AS SUCCESSOR TO JULIUS JOHNSON AS HIS NEXT COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.
Star Farmer
RECENTLY AT THE TENNESSEE STATE FFA CONVENTION THEIR STATE STAR FARMER WAS ANNOUNCED.
The Science of Agriculture
20 SCIENCE ENGINEERING AND MATH COORDINATORS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN TOURING FARMS IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE THIS WEEK AS PART OF THE ON...
Spring Market Basket Down Slightly
SHOPPERS CAN EXPECT TO SPEND SLIGHTLY LESS ON A TYPICAL MARKET BASKET THIS SPRING.
Ag Day on the Hill
FOR ONE DAY A YEAR, AT LEAST, AGRICULTURE IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT BEFORE STATE LAWMAKERS IN NASHVILLE.
4-H Officers Elected
DURING THE 69TH TN 4-H CONGRESS, THREE NEW OFFICERS WERE ELECTED TO PRESIDE OVER NEXT YEAR’S CONGRESS.
TN FFA Officers Installed
DURING THE 88TH TN FFA CONVENTION, EIGHT NEW STATE OFFICERS WERE INSTALLED TO LEAD THE ORGANIZATION.
Amplify the 88th TN FFA Convention
AMPLIFY IS THE CONVENTION THEME AT THE 88TH TN FFA CONVENTION WHERE MEMBERS ARE CELEBRATING THEIR YEAR IN THE BLUE JACKETS.
Ag Commissioner Announces Retirment
TENN. COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE JULIUS JOHNSON HAS ANNOUNCED HE WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF APRIL.
Sea of Blue
THOUSANDS OF TN FFA MEMBERS FROM JOHNSON COUNTY TO TIPTON COUNTY ARE IN GATLINBURG THIS WEEK FOR THEIR 88TH ANNUAL CONVENTION.
Survey for Big Data
THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION WANTS TO HEAR FARMERS’ THOUGHTS ON BIG DATA.
A Home run for Farm Day
1ST GRADERS FROM PUTNAM AND JACKSON COUNTIES GOT TO EXPERIENCE THE FARM, MOST FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, DURING THE ANNUAL FARM DAY EVENT...
National Ag Day
NATIONAL AG DAY HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVOCATING FOR AGRICULTURE.
National Ag Day
TN COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE JULIUS JOHNSON SAYS AGRICULTRUE IS OUR NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY PROVIDING NEARLY $75 BILLION AND ACCOUNTS 13% OF THE STATE’S ECONOMY...
National Ag Week
THIS IS NATIONAL AGRICULTURE WEEK AND STATE LAWMAKERS ON CAPITOL HILL HEARD FROM FARM BUREAU LEADERS TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES THAT FARMERS AND...
Speaking Up for Ag
FARM LEADERS FROM ACROSS TN TRAVELED TO THE STATE CAPITOL THIS WEEK TO MEET WITH AND DISCUSS LEGISLATION BEING CONSIDERED BY LAWMAKERS.
Women in Ag Connecting with Consumers
WOMEN ON THE FARM PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE WHEN IT COMES TO CONNECTING WITH CONSUMERS AND ADVOCATING FOR AGRICULTURE.