TN.gov Newsroom

NASHVILLE - State and federal authorities are responding to an indication of low-pathogenic avian influenza on a single farm in Giles County, Tennessee. The strain poses minimal risk to human health and is not the high-pathogenic strain associated with human and poultry outbreaks in other countries.  Nor is it related to the novel flu virus, commonly referred to as swine flu.

Local CSA Customers

NASHVILLE - “Right now is the time for people who care about locally grown foods to buy their produce for the coming season,” says Tennessee Department of Agriculture marketing specialist Jon Frady.

Today, most of the fruits and vegetables of summer are still just a gleam in a farmer’s eye. Seeds are still in bags, tender young plants sit cozy and warm in their greenhouses, and fruit trees are just now showing off flirty blossoms to attract the bees and other insects which make pollination possible. 

Still, for a growing number of people, the summer’s best produce is already in the bag thanks to a relatively new concept called “Community Supported Agriculture”. 

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has released the 2009 application for the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program. The program will begin accepting new applications June 1 and continue through July 1. Applications should not be postmarked prior to June 1. Applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis, so producers are encouraged to apply early.

NASHVILLE -- What’s more beautiful than lush green plants, flowering profusely all around your home?

“How about lush green plants that flower profusely and then make your food?” says Rob Beets, horticulture and produce marketing specialist with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. “Vegetable plants have pretty blossoms just like ornamental plants, but they can earn their living. Give them a home in your gardens and they’ll repay you with beauty, plus the freshest, most ripe and flavorful food you can get.”

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Forestry Commission will meet April 28 at 8:30 a.m. CST in the Bruer Building at Ellington Agricultural Center, located at 440 Hogan Road in Nashville, Tenn.

Animal Friendly License Plate

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for animal spay/neuter grants. The grants supports low cost spay/neuter programs in Tennessee and are funded through Animal Friendly license plate sales.

“The grant program makes responsible pet owner services available to many who otherwise would be unable to afford them,” said Jimmy Hopper, Director of Regulatory Services. “The Animal Friendly license tags are helping control the number of unwanted animals and we are proud that it enjoys such good public support.”

Every Animal Friendly license plate sale contributes more than $15 to fund the grants. Last year, $190,000 was awarded to a total of 45 different non-profit organizations and government agencies and another $120,000 has been allocated for this year.

Winning Entry for State Arbor Day Poster Contest

NASHVILLE – Suzanna Pickering, a fifth-grader at St. Joseph’s School in Knoxville was recently named state winner in the 2009 Tennessee Arbor Day Poster Contest. Second place was a tie, with honors going to Piper Mandle, Dogwood Elementary School in Germantown and Mary Logan Yancey, Bethel Springs Elementary School in Bethel Springs. The annual contest was open to all Tennessee fifth-graders. 

"The annual Arbor Day Poster Contest is a great way to raise awareness of the importance of agriculture and natural resources through education," said state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “I extend my congratulations to our winners and to all the fifth-graders who invested their time and talent in recognizing the value of trees in our environment."

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is requesting input from the public in developing a statewide forest resource assessment and strategy plan. Four public meetings will be held across the state between March 24 and April 6. Each meeting begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m., and is conducted as an open house to accommodate participants’ schedules.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has made two very important changes to help beekeepers. They can now register their colonies online and sign-up to participate in the UT Beemaster Program. Both changes will help sustain Tennessee’s honeybee population.