Tag Archives: Agriculture

Overton County’s Soil and Water Conservation District is providing landowners with a way to improve their land through environmental improvements. District Conservationist Robert Halfacre said the district is a county organization that helps landowners design and fund projects that will have a positive environmental impact on the land. Halfacre said the program is a strong advocate for agriculture. “We are ... Read More »

Some Dekalb County residents have put together a petition to prevent the construction of a new justice center in Smithville. The Dekalb County Commission is considering several pieces of land for such a facility. One is a 38-acre lot currently used for agriculture. Petitioner Terry Mahle said the property should be left available for private development. “This is a piece ... Read More »

October is usually the driest month of the year and we are entering the month coming off a dry September, something that could impact grass and cattle. This is the time of year where grass is sewn but without rain it could dry out and die. The same goes for pastures where cattle graze. Overton County UT Extension Agent Jason ... Read More »

Governor Bill Lee paid a visit to York Insititute Thursday morning celebrating the school’s strong CTE and agriculture programs. Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn called the school a “national model” for all the programs they offer. Lee said that he couldn’t agree more. “There are so many things happening there,” Lee said. “You see kids developing a beef cattle ... Read More »

Mow often and mow high. That is the mowing advice from the Putnam County UT Agriculture extension to keep your yard healthy. Extention agent Wayne Key said the most common mistake he sees is people mowing their grass too short. He said having thick tall grass can help to prevent weed seeds from germinating and keep the grass moist during ... Read More »

A local ag educator excited that two state departments have teamed up to boost Tennessee’s agricultural education programs through FFA. The State Department of Agriculture and the State Department of Education will work to increase FFA enrollment and opportunities for learning inside and outside the classroom. Van Buren FFA Instructor Lance Smith: “On a local level, I’m hopeful it will ... Read More »

An early fall dry spell could create issues for the agriculture world as it continues with the driest month of the year. Van Buren County Agriculture Agent Chris Binkley said October is traditionally the driest month in the Upper Cumberland. He said September was drier than normal, which might hinder farmers looking to stockpile cool-season grass for livestock grazing. “And ... Read More »

Overton’s UT Extension Agent Jason Garrett was named a recipient of the Hicks Award for Excellence by the Tennessee Association for Agricultural Agents. Garrett said he was one of three extension agents in the state to receive the recognition. He said the award recognizes his efforts in agricultural educational programming. “The benefit of my job is seeing people learn more ... Read More »

Van Buren County Extension Office is partnering with the state Department of Agriculture to host a Business Opportunities in Rural Tennessee event on Tuesday, January 25th. Ag Extension Agent Chris Binkley said that agriculture is an $8 million industry in Van Buren County. He said that events like this can help those in the industry make the most of their ... Read More »

The annual Seed Swap is making its return to Tennessee Tech’s Oakley Farms in Livingston on Saturday, October 2nd. Professor of Agricultural Economics Michael Best said that the swap is a chance for people to both trade and purchase heirloom seeds. He said that heirloom seeds are those which you can grow the same variety of plants each year. He ... Read More »