Yearly Archives: 2020
Farmers Rising to Occasion
Farmers on this first day of Spring are dealing with the coronavirus like everyone else, but they're facing different challenges.
Staying Optimistic
State Representative Rusty Grills of Newbern in Dyer County is serving in his first term in the Tennessee General Assembly and this is not...
Flattening the Curve
Gov. Bill Lee is giving daily updates on the coronavirus and encouraging every way possible to stop gathering and slow down the spread.
Cattle Markets Taking Hit from Coronavirus
Unprecedented times for all of us as we deal with not only life and death effects of the coronavirus, but how its affecting business.
Gov. Bill Lee Issues Executive Order Declaring State of Emergency in...
Order will free up funds, resources to help combat coronavirus spread
March 12, 2020, NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Today, Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order No....
Rural Response to COVID-19
As we all know, the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has become a major concern for Tennesseans.
Severe Weather Cleanup and Recovery
Recent tornadoes and severe storms have resulted in large amounts of woody debris impacting home, farm, and woodland owners across Tennessee. Burning that debris...
Partnering for Better Conservation
Tennessee's Natural Resources Conservation Service partners with landowners across the state to take care of our most important resources.
TSU Research Farm Hit Hard
Tennessee State University's Research and Education Farm just off their main campus in Nashville took a direct hit from last week's tornado outbreak.
Stars Shining for Ag
Since 2001, hundreds of West Tennesseans have participated in the a leadership class known as Ag Star.
Addressing Water Quality Issues
Water quality initiatives supported by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service recently provided funding for specific watershed projects.
Tennessee Farmers Disaster Assistance
Many farmers across the state of Tennessee experienced the devastating impact of a tornado on Tuesday, March 4th. Many are having to rebuild structures...
Staying Safe on the Farm
During Agriculture Safety Awareness Week, here are some tips for farmers to help them stay safe when working in and around their grain bins.
TFBF President Jeff Aiken on Gov. Bill Lee’s Coronavirus Task Force
Governor Bill Lee announced the formation of a Coronavirus Task Force to enhance Tennessee’s coordinated efforts to prevent, identify, and treat potential cases of...
Tennessee Citizens Impacted by Tornadoes Can Apply for Duplicate License
In an effort to help citizens directly impacted by the devastating tornadoes across the state, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (TDOSHS)...
Tornado Impact of Farmers
Devastation from the tornado storms that hit middle Tennessee earlier this week continues.
University of Tennessee Extension Offers Resources to Aid Tornado Recovery Efforts
Tennessee is reeling from deadly tornadoes that raced across the state in the early morning hours of March 3, and now comes the cleanup...
How to Help Middle Tennessee Tornado Devastation
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities affected by the storms in the Middle Tennessee area the morning of March 3,...
Picking Up the Pieces
The early morning hours of March 3rd won't soon be forgotten for many Tennesseans along that tornado path that stretched from Benton to Putnam...
Sustaining Our Water Resources
Tennessee is blessed to have abundant water resources and that's why officials in West Tennessee hold their annual West Tennessee Water Symposium.
Montooth Recognized for Excellence in Service
Governor Bill Lee has recognized Wes Montooth of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture with the Governor’s Excellence in Service Award. The biannual award recognizes...
Tennessee Producer Named Region II Vice President for Federation of State...
Don Terry of Chester County, was named Region II Federation Vice President during the annual Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, TX. In this...
Getting More Focused
The calendar turns to March and Tennessee row crop farmers are starting to really focus in on the 2020 planting season.
Improving the Cattle Industry
Attendees to the Tennessee Young Leaders Conference had an incredible opportunity to hear from a true influencer and inspiration to many in agriculture and...
Goodwill for the FFA
Its National FFA Week and Tennessee is blessed to have a strong association represnting this all important youth organization.
Conservation Today for a Better Tennessee Tomorrow
Members of the Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts have been holding their 76th Annual meeting in Franklin this week.
UT Offers Boot Camps for Farmers Market Vendors
COLUMBIA, Tenn. – Farmers interested in marketing their products directly to consumers at farmers markets, roadside stands, CSAs and you-pick operations are encouraged to...
Young Leaders in Agriculture
The Tennessee Young Leaders Conference was held recently in Franklin where the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation's Young Farmers and Ranchers co-sponsored the event with...
A Successful 2020 Young Leaders Conference
Franklin, TN. February 24, 2020 – More than 400 young people from across the state gathered at the 2020 Young Leaders Conference held February...
A Passion for Ag Education
Its national FFA Week and the more than 14,000 members in Tennessee will be taking time out to celebrate this all important youth organization...
Prepping for a New Crop Season
Its still February but that doesn't mean farmers aren't thinking a lot about planting season that will begin within the next month or so.
New County Presidents Selected to Serve the Organization
The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation held their second annual New County Presidents Training, where six county presidents attended to learn more about the Farm...
Chronic Wasting Disease a Continued Concern
We've been hearing about the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) for about a year now, and it continues to be a concern.
A Penny A Bushel Adds Up
The Tennessee Corn Promotion Board has collected $900,000 from the corn checkoff so farm since March of 2019.
Broadband Expansion Continues
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was on the farm of Tennessee Ag Commissioner Charlie Hatcher recently to announce the investment of $9 million...
USDA Invests $9 Million in Broadband for Rural Tennessee Communities
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested $9 million in four, high-speed broadband infrastructure projects that will...
Rural Tourism
Tennessee's Commissioner of Tourist Development, Mark Ezell, appeared recently before the State Senate's Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources committee to discuss more about their...
Ag Budget Proposal to Senate Ag Committee
Ag Commissioner Dr. Charlie Hatcher presented his budget proposal for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture before the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources committee...
Tennessee Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Applications Accepted Through March 16
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP).
“Tennessee’s diverse...
Working to Close the Urban-Rural Divide
The Foundation for Agriculture is leading the way in educating consumers about modern farming.
USDA Announces Mike Mayfield as State FSA Executive Director
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Mike Mayfield as the new state executive director (SED) for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Tennessee,...
Tennessee’s New Executive Director for FSA
After serving as Executive Director for Giles County's Farm Service Agency for the past 34 years, the Trump Administration has named Mike Mayfield as...
Help on the Way, Hopefully
Gov. Bill Lee's budget proposal would help restore funding for additional Extension Agents in some of our rural counties.
UT Extension Hosts Grain Conference
The University of Tennessee Extension hosted the West Tennessee Grain and Soybean Producers Conference recently in Dyersburg.
Setting Sites for U.S. Ag Trade with Europe
With trade agreements recently reached with four U.S. global markets, USDA is working to strengthen new trade deals with the European Union.
Priorities Raised for Rural Tennessee
Gov. Bill Lee's State of the State address on Monday highlighted many of his initiatives to building a stronger rural Tennessee.
Unprecedented Support of Rural Tennessee in Gov. Bill Lee’s 2020 State...
Gov. Bill Lee delivered his State of the State address, showcasing Tennessee’s progress over the past year and outlining his legislative and budget priorities...
Lead USDA Attorney from a Tenn. Farm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's head attorney is Obion County's own, Stephen Vaden.
Preparing for the Future
Scott Caine, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Aimpoint Research, recently spoke to Tennessee Farm Bureau members about what the company is...
A Super Day for Food Safety
The lack of a good defensive safety can cost a football team dearly. So can the lack of good food safety at your Super...
USMCA Signed into Law
President Donald Trump signed into law the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement paving the way for a new since of optimism from farmers and farm...
USMCA Signing Increases Optimism
Today’s signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by President Trump increases hopes that 2020 will begin a stronger decade for America’s farmers and...
Clearing Up Water Rules
The Waters of the U.S. replacement rule gives farmers and ranchers the clarity they need to comply with federal regulations while protecting the nation’s...
Second Wettest Year on Record
How did 2019 rank in terms of precipitation? USDA's Stephanie Ho has the story.
Tennessee Farm Bureau Travels to Texas for American Farm Bureau’s 101st...
Austin, TX. January 21, 2020 - During the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation in Austin, Texas, the Tennessee Young Farmers...
AFBF Sets Policy Priorities
Delegates from across the country met during the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention and set policy priorities for the organization in 2020.
Discussing the Issues
Katie Martin of Putnam County recently spent time at the American Farm Bureau Convention in Austin, Texas where she competed in the Young Farmers...
Farm Policy for 2020
Voting delegates at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting in Austin, Texas discussed and adopted policy resolutions that will guide the farm organization for...
Making Tennessee Proud
While at the American Farm Bureau's 101st Annual Meeting, Tennessee had some impressive young farmers competing for top honors.
2020 Vision for Farm Bureau
For the third straight year, President Donald Trump addressed farm leaders gathered this week at the American Farm Bureau convention in Austin, Texas.
Tennessee Farm Bureau President Hosts Fireside Chat with U.S. Secretary of...
Austin, TX. January 20th, 2020 - Tennessee Farm Bureau President Jeff Aiken was honored to host a "fireside chat" with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture...
Tennesseans Gather in Austin
More than 220 Tennessee Farm Bureau members have traveled to Austin, Texas for the American Farm Bureau Federation's 101st Annual Convention.
A Successful Week for Agriculture
To put the cherry on top of an already positive week for agriculture, the U.S. Senate passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement.
Senate Passage of U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement a Win for Tennessee Farmers
Columbia, TN. January 16, 2020 – The following may be attributed to Tennessee Farm Bureau President Jeff Aiken:
“We are extremely grateful for the U.S....
Tennessee Farm Bureau Makes Strong Contribution to UT Lone Oaks Farm
Columbia, TN. January 13, 2020 – The Tennessee Farm Bureau family, made up of Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee and...
Farmers Welcome Historic Trade Agreement
President Donald Trump signed the historic Phase One trade agreement with China this week that could mean an unprecedented amount of American agricultural products...
China Trade Deal Provides Hopeful Opportunities for Farmers
Columbia, TN. January 15, 2020 – The following may be attributed to Tennessee Farm Bureau President Jeff Aiken:
“The ‘Phase 1’ trade agreement signed by...
A Citizen Legislature
38-year old farmer Rusty Grills of Dyer County was officially sworn into office as the second session of the 111th Tennessee General Assembly is...
Doddridge Joins Tennessee Department of Agriculture
NASHVILLE —Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. is announcing the appointment of Kim Doddridge as public information officer for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA).
Doddridge...
Partners for Ag
Nearly 100 of Tennessee's ag and forestry leaders attended the Ag Industry Partners meeting recently hosted by the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation at their...
A New Speaker Takes the Gavel
He was officially sworn in last August, but this week new Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton will gavel in the start of the...
Hog Show Success
The Tennessee Junior Market Hog Show in Murfreesboro was another success this year with more than 250 4-H and FFA members from 40 counties...
Farmers Hopeful for a Rise in Exports
After a couple of years of trade wars that have impacted the ag economy, there's hope for farmers in this new year that ag...
Trade Dispute Effects on Tennessee Agriculture Outlined in Yearly Report to...
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Despite another year of international trade conflicts, research from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture outlines the continued economic strength...
A Friend of FACCT
Lou Nave of Cannon County, presented the "Friend of FACCT" award.
Ag Labor Coalition Seeks H-2A Wage Relief
A coalition of agriculture groups is asking lawmakers to change burdensome ag labor laws.
UT AgResearch Announces 2020 Field Day Schedule
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee AgResearch is planning a full calendar of field days for 2020. A total of 17 field days will...
Agricenter International Brings Agriculture to the Heart of Memphis
Agricenter International; Photo by Steve Jones
By Jessica Mozo | November 18, 2019
You probably wouldn’t expect to find a 1,000-acre working farm in a metropolitan area...