Local Strawberries - Cutline Below

NASHVILLE – Tennessee has enjoyed a good year for strawberries in most places across the state, despite some cantankerous cold spells. The end of the strawberry crop just a couple of weeks from now signals the beginning of the summer produce season, with wave after wave of favorites lasting until a hard frost closes down harvests for the year.

Local strawberry patches will likely have berries for a few more weeks. “Strawberries at the end of the season will be smaller than those first ‘king’ berries, but some people say they think the later berries are even sweeter, with stronger flavor,” says Tammy Algood, produce marketing specialist for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. “Just be sure to call the grower before heading out to the patch so you’ll know strawberries are still available.”

By mid June, early summer vegetables like yellow squash, zucchini, peas and new potatoes will join the produce parade. Most of the state’s farmers markets and on farm produce sheds will be open for business by July 1.

For the Latest Information on This Situation Visit http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/regulatory/ehv.shtml

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has received reports of suspected cases of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) infection in horses that participated in a recent trail ride in Tennessee.

Six to 8 suspected cases of the neurological form of EHV-1 have been reported to the state veterinarian’s office. Horses are being treated, isolated and monitored by their attending veterinarian.

The horses may have been exposed to EHV-1 during the Bucksnort Trail Ride held April   23–30 in Humphreys County. The event drew approximately 100 horses from multiple states. The movement of horses that attended the event is being restricted on a case by case basis.

- Farmers Encouraged to Apply for TAEP Funding -

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program application period is almost here. Applications must be postmarked or hand delivered June 1 – 7. Do not postmark prior to June 1.

An important change for this year is that requests for funding will now be approved based on applicant determined priorities instead of on a first come, first serve basis. Producers who have not previously participated in TAEP are especially encouraged to apply.

“Governor Haslam proposed, and we are pleased the General Assembly has approved full funding for the Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program,” Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson said. “We’re trying to extend the program to reach more farmers and fund more priority projects. So if you haven’t participated before, this year is your chance.”

Tennessee Red Cabbage

Pick TN Products QR Code

NASHVILLE — “Phoning it in” is not necessarily a bad thing, at least when it comes to putting local foods on the table.

“Not everybody can be a farmer, but everybody can find farms, farmers markets and pick-your-own patches nearby,” says Pamela Bartholomew, agritourism coordinator with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. “Smart phone scanners make finding fresh, local foods so easy, you can literally phone it in!”

Savvy cell phone users can now point their phone cameras at a “QR,” or “quick response” code, and launch an application that takes them straight to the Pick Tennessee Products website. Once the code has done its job, shoppers can instantly access directories for local farmers markets, CSA (community supported agriculture) farms, and pick your own patches and orchards. The website features fruits, vegetables and other local and artisan products during the seasons they’re available in Tennessee.

New Federal Food Safety Modernization Act Highlighted

NASHVILLE – Foodborne illness has increasingly been linked to contaminated produce like lettuce, tomatoes and cantaloupe. America’s federal food safety laws have been updated with the goal of ensuring the United States’ food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it. The Tennessee Departments of Health and Agriculture are hosting an educational seminar as part of the Tennessee Food Safety Task Force featuring experts discussing the problem, challenges, approaches and impact of the Food Safety Modernization Act on produce safety.

- Missing Product Dumped, Possibly Distributed in Some Nashville Neighborhoods -

NASHVILLE – A truck load of potatoes destined for a landfill after being exposed to smoke and fire retardant was discovered missing and possibly distributed to unsuspecting area residents. The load was involved in a vehicle mishap on I-24 earlier this week.

As a precaution, state Agriculture and Health officials are asking people in Nashville and surrounding areas to not accept or consume potatoes that were not purchased from a reputable source or retail outlet. There have been reports of residents in some North Nashville neighborhoods receiving “free” potatoes. The product should be destroyed.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Forestry Commission will meet April 24 at 8:30 a.m. CDT in the Ed Jones Auditorium at Ellington Agricultural Center, located at 440 Hogan Road in Nashville.

The agenda includes a review and approval of previous meeting minutes, a discussion of green building standards, a report on the Agriculture and Forestry Economic Development Task Force, approval of the 2012-2013 tree seedling price list and updates on the Forest Action Plan, legislation, State Forest certification and the Division of Forestry budget.

State Strawberry Crop Looks Strong

NASHVILLE – Thanks to a mild winter and a warm, sunny spring, Tennessee’s famous strawberry crop looks good despite the recent frosts.

“We had a pretty good frost in many areas of the state,” says Tammy Algood, fruit and vegetable marketing specialist with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. “However, temperatures in many places did not get as low as was predicted. The actual temperatures will vary depending on air drainage, ground cover and topography, but it’s fairly certain that some sites saw temperatures below freezing.”

“Our strawberry growers have ‘close calls’ every year, though,” says the specialist, “so they are set up and can react to cold events.”

- Citizens should be vigilant but not alarmed -

VONORE, Tenn. – Tennessee’s first case of partially Africanized bees was confirmed through genetic testing last week in a colony belonging to a beekeeper in Monroe County. The colony has been depopulated and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture is working with beekeepers in the area to determine if other bees could have been affected.

State Apiarist, Mike Studer, says it is no surprise that partially Africanized bees have made their way to Tennessee considering they have already been found in other states such as Texas, Georgia, Mississippi and Florida. “I’m actually surprised it’s just now happening. We have been expecting this for some time,” Studer said. “Citizens need to be vigilant, but there’s no need to overreact. This is a situation that can be effectively managed through good beekeeping practices.

- Focus on Farm and Forest Issues, Rural Development Opportunities -

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is hosting a series of listening sessions across the state in April and May for farmers, forest landowners and agribusinesses. The purpose of the meetings is to hear stakeholder concerns about current issues and to explore opportunities for developing our rural economy and increasing farm and forest income.

“We want to be available to our producers, landowners and agribusinesses to hear their concerns and to get their input on how to enhance our rural communities and economy,” Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson said. “This is also about ongoing efforts to look at how we, as an agency, can provide better service and be more responsive to challenges and opportunities.

“Agriculture and forestry are growing businesses in Tennessee. We must find the best ways to maintain and expand infrastructure while encouraging long-term profitability.”