Monthly Archives: February 2021
Policy Post: March 2021
Farm Bureau is assessing the bills filed in this General Assembly, of which many are related to Farm Bureau policy positions. Farm Bureau will monitor this legislation and promote Farm Bureau’s grassroots 2021 resolutions.
A Unique Position
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall told lawmakers farmers are part of the solution to climate change.
Virtual Legislative Visits
With the state capitol and legislative office still under Covid protocol, Farm Bureau leaders across the state are connecting to their lawmakers virtually.
Adapting to the New University Experience
University of Tennessee at Martin Chancellor Dr. Keith Carver talks about the student experience under the pandemic.
Farm Bureau Leaders Advocating for Our Most Important Industry
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Tennessee General Assembly has limited access to the Cordell Hull Building in Nashville. Therefore, Tennessee Farm Bureau leaders are unable to visit and meet with lawmakers like they typically would, but that didn't stop county leadership from adapting.
FFA Goodwill Tour
Even though the FFA Goodwill Tour is a little different with the pandemic, the message for support is still strong.
Wage Increases for H-2A Workers
Farmers must pay H-2A workers more in 2021, as defined by a report from the Department of Agriculture. Micheal Clements shares what this means...
Pick Tennessee Products Celebrates Refreshed Look
Consumer interest in purchasing local is at an all-time high, and the long-standingPick Tennessee Products program announced a refreshed logo for Tennessee food businesses, farmers markets, and agritourism.
Farm Income Projections Down, Outlook Up
A drop in government payments to farmers will cause a drop in overall farm sector income this year.
Unprecedented Ice Storm Hits West and Middle Tennessee
An ice storm many haven’t seen in several years hit folks in west and middle Tennessee hard this week as temperatures dropped and remained in the single digits and freezing rain covered the ground.
USDA Offers Disaster Assistance for Producers Facing Inclement Weather
Most of the nation is facing unusually cold weather, as a winter storm moved coast-to-coast over the weekend. Winter storms create significant challenges and often result in catastrophic loss for agricultural producers, especially for those raising livestock, row crops and vulnerable crops like citrus.
Winter Finally Hitting Hard All Over
What are the agricultural impacts of expanding extreme cold weather? Stephanie Ho has the story.
Keeping the Power
Sometimes it takes events like this week's winter weather to really appreciate the job of our electric companies.
Farmers Protecting Their Livestock
West and Middle Tennessee farmers have been hit pretty hard this week with snow, sleet and extremely cold weather conditions and that means a...
More Research Needed
A new Farm Bureau analysis offers a look at carbon sequestration by agriculture in the United States. Micheal Clements shares how the data reveals agriculture...
Internet, Internet! Wherefore art thou, Broadband Internet?
We have little knowledge when the pandemic will ease, and when our students can return to what was our “normal” so the need for reliable, affordable broadband internet is even more important for the citizens and students of Tennessee.
Listening to the Concerns of Farmers
Tennessee's 7th District Congressman Mark Green says he's working to listen and support Tennessee farmers.
Women’s Leadership Conference
The 74th Annual State Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Conference will be held April 27, 2024, in Lebanon, Tennessee, at the Farm Bureau Expo Center. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m., Saturday, April 27. Contact your county Farm Bureau to register!
Reviewing U.S. Carbon Sequestration
The most recent data from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data Explorer reveals U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2018 totaled 6.7 billion metric tons in CO2 equivalents, up 2%, or 188 million metric tons, from the prior year (Agriculture’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks).
Ask the Expert: Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Q&A...
In this Ask the Expert, Dr. Joe Outlaw answers a few questions about USDA’s Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. Joe is a Regents Fellow, Professor and Extension Economist in the Texas A&M University’s Department of Agricultural Economics.
A New Tractor on the Farm
Its not everyday that a new tractor shows up on the farm, but that's exactly the case for 29-year old Kary Robinson of Franklin...
Investment for Rural Tennessee
This week Governor Bill Lee delivered his state of the state address to state lawmakers and part of his budget proposals submitted are earmarked...
Governor Bill Lee Delivers 2021 State of the State Address
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee delivered his third State of the State address and presented budget and legislative priorities to a joint session of the General Assembly. In addition to outlining budget and legislative priorities, the governor provided an accounting of Tennessee’s COVID-19 response and continued economic recovery.
Direct Farm Marketing Summit Targets Tennessee and Kentucky Farmers
Farmers interested in maintaining or building direct farm marketing relationships with consumers should make plans to attend the Agriculture Direct Farm Marketing Summit.
Caution Still Needed
Farm bankruptcies declined in 2020. However, as Micheal Clements shares, that doesn’t necessarily mean the outlook for agriculture is improving.
Preparing for the Cold
Just looking at the upcoming forecast will make you shiver, as cold temperatures are expected throughout the week, and for farmers, this means extra...
Adapting to the Environment
This week hundreds of farmers would have attended the West Tennessee Grain Conference in Dyersburg as in years past in person, but because of...
Food Safety Measures for Super Sunday
One food safety expert says the food safety practices of many of us on Super Bowl Sunday might need further review. Gary Crawford has...
Chicken Little
Things don’t have to be big to be valuable. I can compliment a stranger. I can take back someone’s shopping cart. I can encourage my farmer husband and might just be the person who makes him laugh and let the stress out for the day. None of those things are big. But, I do think they make a difference in the lives of people I care about and that makes them worth doing.
Similar Priorities for Farm Bureau, Vilsack
President Joe Biden’s nominee for Agriculture Secretary holds some of the same goals as the American Farm Bureau Federation. Micheal Clements shares what issues...
Many Farmers Looking to Spring
Regardless of whether the groundhog sees his shadow or not, our farmers are gearing up for another planting season, but they will be mindful...
U.S. Farmers Remain Hopeful for South African Workers
Farmers like Jason Head of Montgomery County are concerned whether their H-2A workers from South Africa would be allowed to come to the U.S....