Ag Angle

From spending his career as a medical doctor to writing a song for Lorretta Lynn, Dr. Joe McClure of Humphreys County has quite the list of accomplishments to be proud of. Now, after 20 years of cross-pollinating peach trees, Dr. McClure can add selecting a new peach variety to his list of accomplishments.

On December 31, 2023, Farm Bureau member Tommy Davis will reach an impressive milestone – 50 years of keeping rainfall records at his residence in Lawrence County.

As a farmer in East Tennessee, I work to keep waterways in my neck of the woods clean and free of agricultural runoff. All I ask for is easy-to-understand rules that clearly define what it is the federal government is regulating, and I believe the current rule provides that for us.

For most people, the words “state fair” bring images of flashing lights and towering Farris wheels, as well as the aromas of roasted corn and your favorite fried food. For rural communities though, it has always been the opportunity to celebrate our lifestyle and to showcase the crafts which make us unique.

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.

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.

By being active members of the Tennessee Farm Bureau, we can apply that same methodology to tackling issues facing the rural and agricultural community within our own counties, as well as across the Volunteer state.