Yearly Archives: 2018
Happy New Year
As the New Year kicks off, it always seems appropriate to look forward and not only set goals for the upcoming year, but see...
Farmer’s Resolve
As we get right into a new year, perhaps more so than any other group, our farmers are looking forward to a better year...
Extreme Measures
The arctic blast that’s gripped most of the country continues and livestock owners are encouraged to continue taking measures to ensure their animals are...
Getting a Head Start
This next week, thousands of the nation’s farmers will be coming to Tennessee for the American Farm Bureau’s 99th Annual meeting and many row...
Farm Bureau Leaders and the President Coming to Tennessee
Over 6000 farmers and ranchers from across the country are heading to Opryland this weekend for the American Farm Bureau’s 99th annual convention, and...
Huge Spotlight on Our Most Important Industry
Regardless of your politics, today is a special day for Tennessee and American agriculture as President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak with farmers...
President Trump Praises our Most Important Industry
President Donald Trump is the first President in over 25 years to address the American Farm Bureau.
Tennessee Farm Bureau Shines
Tennessee Farm Bureau and it’s members were recognized with top awards during the American Farm Bureau convention in Nashville.
4-H, FFA Members Meet the President
Two Tennessee agriculture youth leaders got the chance of a lifetime to meet President Donald Trump.
Farm Bureau Policy Agenda Set for 2018
Besides the excitement around President Trump attending the American Farm Bureau convention in Nashville this week, there were other important business items to tend...
A Strong Voice for Farm Bureau Retiring
After 31 years on the job, the American Farm Bureau’s Mary Kay Thatcher is set to retire at the end of this month.
Jr Hog Success
The interest continues to stay strong for Tennessee’s Junior Livestock shows. The latest success comes from the state Jr. Market Hog show held at...
Farmers Celebrate 2017 Victories
As a new year gets underway, farmers and ranchers have several victories to celebrate from 2017.
Research Expanding for Organics At Agricenter
The 1000-acre campus of Agricenter International just outside of Memphis will soon include in its arsenal of tools, an Organic Resource Center.
The Feed Must Go On
Governor Bill Haslam has issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency that waives hours of service for livestock and poultry drivers.
Coming Together to End Opioid Epidemic
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has announced a comprehensive plan to end the opioid epidemic and the nation’s two largest farming organizations have announced a...
Ag Committee Hears from Ag Department
Tennessee’s Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton appeared before the state House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee this week to give an overview of the...
Trading Power
Farm Bureau members are looking to NAFTA talks to create even better trade opportunities.
First Ever UT Basketball Ag Night
Tennessee Farm Bureau and TN Farmers Cooperative recently teamed up to host the first ever UT Basketball agriculture night and careers panel discussion on...
Treemendous Opportunity
John McFadden is CEO of the TN Environmental Council and this year they have a goal of planting 250,000 trees in one day on...
Success for Tennessee Cattlemen
The Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association just held their 33RD annual convention and trade show in Murfreesboro and by all accounts was a big success.
Cattlemen Name Gresham Legislator of the Year
The Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association recognized Senator Delores Gresham as their legislator of the year.
Working for a new Farm Bill
Tennessee’s 4th District Congressman Scott DesJarlais is now into his 8th year in Washington and every year the one committee he’s been a constant...
Beef is Big Business
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is holding their annual meeting in Phoenix and their current President Craig Yuden was here last week for the...
Shared Goals for Ag in 2018
During his State of the Union address President Trump didn’t mention agriculture or farming specifically, but there are several shared goals for both.
Getting the FACCTs Right
For the past several years, the Farm Animal Care Coalition of Tennessee, or FACCT, has been working across the state providing producers and consumers...
Checking Corn in February
Tennessee corn growers are a little closer to seeing a referendum to vote on whether to have a checkoff in place for research and...
WOTUS Application Date Extension a Win for Agriculture
The American Farm Bureau Federation says the latest action to extend the applicability date of the WOTUS rule provides a path forward for a...
A Balance for Farmers and Wildlife
Clay County farmer Brian McLerran is enjoying his appointment to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Long-term Impact of Cover Crops
Most research projects last 3-5 years, but scientists with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture recently finished a 29-year study to find the...
Stepping Out of the Box to Agvocate
For the Peterson Farm Brothers of Kansas, they’re still seeing incredible response, almost viral-like, every time they put out a new parody video from...
Farm Income Expected to Fall More
In its latest farm income forecast for this year USDA is projecting another year of falling farm income.
Infrastructure Proposal Good News for Rural America
President Trump’s budget includes much needed funding for rural infrastructure projects.
Leadership for Young Farmers
More than a thousand young farmers from 41 states have been attending the American Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers Leadership Conference in Reno, Nevada, including...
Promoting Goodwill in the FFA
Its National FFA Week here in Tennessee and across the country and the state FFA officer team is traveling from Knoxville to Memphis visiting...
Snapshot of Farms and Land in Farms
What are some of the highlights from USDA’s annual look at how many farms are in our nation, and how much land is in...
Young Leaders Today
Cooperatively Building a Better Tennessee was the theme of the recent Tennessee Young Leaders Conference held in Franklin.
Leadership by Example
State Senator Mark Green of Clarksville gave a keynote address to young farmers gathered recently for the Tennessee Council of Cooperatives’ Young Leaders Conference...
Agvocating at the Capitol
This week at the state capitol in Nashville, Farm Bureau leaders from across the volunteer state have been meeting with their lawmakers expressing their...
Respecting the Power
Middle Tennessee Electric recently gave a presentation to young farmers using their safety demonstration trailer to highlight the potential hazards with electrical lines in...
State of the Union for Ag
If the experts at USDA’s recent Outlook Forum are right, 2018 will be yet another year of belt tightening by farmers.
Secretary Perdue Visits West TN Farmers
Close to 150 farmers gathered at Richard Jameson’s farm shop in Haywood County this past Saturday for a special visit from U.S. Secretary of...
Getting Closer
It may not feel like it today, but Spring is fast approaching and farmers are gearing up for another crop season.
Supermarkets vs. the World
Our supermarkets are being challenged on a number of fronts by some unlikely competitors. USDA’s Gary Crawford has the story.
Spring Time Means Bee Time
With Spring gearing up, that means soon flowers will be blooming and crops will be in full swing. But it is also a time...
March is Extension Month in Tennessee
This is thr 4th year Tennessee has celebrated Extension month in March and it highlights all Extension does for Tennessee.
Walking Back to the Future
Quite a show for nearly 2000, mostly elementary, kids gathered recently in Shelbyville’s Calsonic Arena for an Equine Education Day for the Tennessee Walking...
Dairy Farmers Looking for Answers
Dairy farmer Caleb Watson and his brother, Josh, of Loudon County were one of ten Tennessee dairies that were recently given a 90-day notice...
Looking to Help Dairy Farmers
Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton put together a meeting this week at the Department of Agriculture with other state agencies and organizations to...
Agriculture: Food for Life
This is National Agriculture Week, a time set aside to recognize what many of us refer to as our most important industry.
4-H Branching from their Roots
For the 71st year hundreds of Tennessee 4-Hers this week have been taking part in 4-H Congress.
Celebrating Tennessee Agriculture
Ag Day on the Hill was held at the capitol in Nashville where lawmakers got to see firsthand why agriculture is our state’s number...
4-H Congress Officers Elected
During the 71st Tennessee 4-H Congress, a new Governor, Speaker of the Senate and Speaker of the House were elected to preside over next...
Blue Jackets Flood Gatlinburg
Tennessee’s State FFA Convention is underway in Gatlinburg with students from all across the state descending on the town to compete, showcase and be...
I Can. We Will. FFA.
90TH Tennessee State FFA Convention is underway and for East TN Vice President Kenzie Bastian, it is both a joy and a little bittersweet...
90th State FFA Convention
The newest member of the Tennessee FFA family is Executive Director Josh Bledsoe and at a week on the job, he is at the...
The Future Farmers of America
Over 3000 Tennessee FFA members just concluded their 90th Annual Convention and selected a new slate of officers to lead the organization for the...
Making An Impact in FFA
The Tennessee state FFA convention was recently held in Gatlinburg and FFA’s national Central Region Vice President Piper Merritt was able to attend the...
FFA Star in Agriscience
Recently during the Tennessee State FFA convention, Montana Wright of the Stewarts Creek FFA chapter was named the state Star in Agriscience.
Getting the Power Right
When it comes to power, the 23 electric cooperatives across the state that make up the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association handle quite a bit...
Prepared to Win
Recently at the 90th Tennessee State FFA Convention, John Ryan Scarlett of the Jefferson County FFA Chapter was named the state winner in the...
State FFA Star Farmer
The Tennessee State FFA Convention was held recently and the state’s Star Farmer was announced, with Murray Perkins of the Paris FFA Chapter receiving...
Tobacco Changes Continue
Tobacco was once the king crop of Tennessee agriculture but now it continues to see declines in acres of production.
A Voice for Tennessee Farmers
Rep. Scott Desjarlais is Tennessee’s Congressman from the 4th District and he was hopeful that Congress would have already passed a new Farm Bill.
Getting Some Respect for Alfalfa
Alfalfa is now one of the top U.S. crops in terms of value, but some would say not in terms of attention. USDA’S Gary...
Finally Weather to Plant
Corn planters are finally starting to roll across the Volunteer State after a wet Spring has held many producers up from getting to their...
Sec. Perdue Back in Middle Tennessee
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue had the chance to meet with a group of diversified farmers in Tennessee last week as he toured the...
Growing Food, Growing People
Cul2vate is a non-profit organization at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville with two goals, growing food for hungry people and growing people for those...
Sec. Perdue Covering the State
Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue was back in Knoxville yesterday meeting with Farm Bureau and Coop leaders as part of a Tax Day event where...
Farm Bill Moves Ahead
The American Farm Bureau Federation says this week’s party-line vote on the farm bill is a standard practice for agriculture legislation.
TPP Talks Return
Speculation grows about a possible U.S. return to the Trans Pacific Partnership and what that may mean for the American ag sector.
Extension Vital to All
The University of Tenn. Extension Service is still the one place that farmers and all consumers can go in each county to the information...
Helping Our Neighbors
While Oklahoma is several hundred miles away, they’re still a neighbor in need and 18 firefighters from the Volunteer State and the Tennessee Division...
30 Years of Service
Rep. Steve McDaniel, a long-time member of the state House of Representatives is looking forward to going home at the conclusion of this legislative...
Ag Broadband Connectivity Bill Will Close Connectivity Gaps
The Senate Commerce Committee recently passed the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018, WHICH IS designed to deliver broadband service, crucial for operating today’s...
Perdue Says Farm Bill Likely This Year
As Tennessee farmers continuing planting this year’s crops, many are hopefull Congress will continue moving the Farm Bill through to passage.
Finally Good Planting Weather
Its been a long time coming but it looks as if the weather will cooperate for a while for Tennessee row crop farmers as...
Contact Lawmakers Now to Support the Farm Bill
Now is the time to let legislators know how important the farm bill is to rural America.
Madison County Farmer Named Farmer of the Year
36 year-old Johnny Verrell of Madison County has been named Tennessee’s Farmer of the Year by the UT Extension Service and he will represent...
Looking for New Markets
Yes, trade disputes with China may hurt U.S. ag sales there, but there are many other potential markets to explore. Stephanie Ho has the...
A Dwindling Buzz
Staggering loses have been reported by Tennessee beekeepers once again and this should concern everyone.
Farmers Need Certainty From Trade Talks
Farmers and ranchers are looking for certainty in trade from talks on NAFTA and China. Micheal Clements has more.
Favorite Field Trip of the Year
Learning all about farm life was the focus this week as more than 1100 elementary kids attended the annual Knox County Farm Day at...
FFA Plant Sales a Great Mother’s Day Gift Idea
Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and a unique gift you may not have thought of will also help your local FFA chapter.
Working for His Farmers
Tennessee 8th District Congressman David Kustoff says all American’s and especially members of Congress need to understand the important contributions of our farmers and...
Dairy Farmers Form New Co-op
Recently several dairymen from southeastern states came together to form their own Appalachian Dairy Farmers Cooperative with Piedmont Milk sales to market their milk.
Billions Could Be Lost from China Soybean Tariff
While Tennessee farmers are busy planting more than a million acres of soybeans across the state this spring, many are wondering what might happen...
No Farms, No Food, No Future
A new report from the American Farmland Trust shows alarming numbers on how much land is taken out of farm production because of development.
Rural Innovation Conference
Tennessee Tech University’s Center for Rural Innovation is hosting its first ever conference to really showcase what it can offer to the community and...
Farm Bill Voted Down, Not Out
After multiple listening sessions and hearings across the country for the House Agriculture Committee, the full House voted down the Farm Bill.
Dairy Farmers Hear from Administrator
Recently the Tennessee and Kentucky Farm Bureau’s hosted a meeting in Knoxville for USDA dairy officials and farmers to address some of the industry...
WOTUS Rule Still a Threat
Even though WOTUS isn’t a hot topic right now, the threat isn’t gone, and action is still needed by many agricultural advocates to push...
Importance of House Ag Committee
Many people may not realize what the United States House Agriculture committee impacts, but their reach is far beyond policy.
We Must Never Forget
As we celebrate Memorial Day we must never forget those service men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
Still Hope for a Farm Bill
Farmers here in Tennessee and across the country are still hopeful Congress will consider and pass a Farm Bill.
From the Farm to the White House
For the past year, Ray Starling has served President Donald Trump as his Special Assistant for Agriculture, Trade and Food Assistance at the White...
Celebrating and Promoting June Dairy Month
One of the largest June Dairy Day events in the southeast was just held at Battle Mountain Farm in Williamson County where about 200...
Working for that Goal
During the June Dairy Month Kickoff Luncheon former Tennessee Titan NFL football player George Wilson helped to inspire the Tennessee 4-H students attending with...
Educating our Future
Teachers from across the state attended a training to learn new interactive ways to teach their students.