NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Beef Promotion Board will meet April 18 at 2 p.m. CDT at the offices of the Tennessee Beef Industry Council, located at 530 Brandies Circle, Suite A in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The agenda includes a review and approval of minutes, a review of board finances and a program update. The meeting is open to the public.

The Tennessee Beef Promotion Board was created in 2012 by state law to oversee the collection and use of assessments paid by producers for the purpose of promoting beef and beef products in-state. The Board comprises representatives from the Tennessee Livestock Market Association, Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, Tennessee Dairy Association and Tennessee Beef Cattle Improvement Initiative.

For more information, contact the Tennessee Department of Agriculture at 615-837-5160.

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is now accepting proposals for the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. These federal funds are granted to enhance production and competitiveness of specialty crops, which include fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, tree nuts and nursery crops including floriculture. The grants are authorized through the federal Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 and are administered by TDA.

“Crop and income diversity are key elements for success as we work to grow rural economies in Tennessee,” said Ed Harlan, TDA assistant commissioner for Market Development. “Specialty crops are by definition crops that are not common or traditional to our producers. These crops are increasingly important to stable growth for agriculture related businesses, however.  Specialty crop grants can fund innovation, research and training to allow our producers and agriculture related businesses and organizations to improve, expand and try new income avenues with less risk.”

TDA officials anticipate the state will be eligible for about $480,000 in federal SCBG funds to support grower education, infrastructure, food safety and marketing. Universities, institutions, cooperatives, producers, for-profit industries or community-based organizations may submit proposals for project funding, but all fund recipients must be recognized by the IRS and must provide benefit to more than a single organization, institution or individual. Demonstration of long-term benefits is also required.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee lawmakers will celebrate Ag Day on the Hill on April 2 at Legislative Plaza. The day will highlight the importance of farming and forestry to the state of Tennessee.

Ag Day on the Hill will feature a variety of exhibits and activities including:

• A milking contest between Senate and House members
• A cattle weighing contest 
• Live animals – cattle, goats, pigs, chicken, sheep, bees, mules and horses
• Crops and farm equipment
• Special presentations to the House Agriculture Committee

Ag Day on the Hill will begin at 8 a.m. with displays from agricultural organizations lining the halls while the contests, live animals, crops and farm equipment will be located at the courtyard entrance to Legislative Plaza. The annual milking contest will take place at 9:45 a.m. Special presentations to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee get underway at 10:30 a.m. The winner of the cattle weighing contest, to be announced during the committee meeting, will receive a Pick Tennessee Products gift basket.

- Risk of human Salmonella infections from contact with live poultry -

NASHVILLE – Cuddly baby chicks and ducks are as much a part of the Easter holiday as colored eggs and the Easter bunny. But even though they are fun to look at and kids love them, you should not give them as gifts because of the health risks involved.

Live poultry, especially baby poultry, commonly carry Salmonella germs. People can get Salmonella from contact with the birds or their environments. These germs can contaminate a bird’s body and anything in the area where they are displayed or housed, such as cages or coops.

In recent years, many outbreaks have been linked to handling live poultry purchased from agricultural feed stores and mail-order hatcheries. In these outbreaks thousands of people became ill, hundreds were hospitalized, and several deaths occurred.

Interested Farmers/Gardeners Should Contact the Park for Booth Space

CHAPEL HILL, Tenn. – Henry Horton State Park announced today that a farmers’ market will be offered at the park this summer to provide nearby residents with fresh and healthy produce choices. Farmers and gardeners interested in participating in the market are encouraged to contact the park’s office to reserve booth space.

NASHVILLE - The next meeting of the State Soil Conservation Committee will be held March 18 at 10 a.m. in the rear conference room of the Holman Building at the Ellington Agricultural Center, located at 440 Hogan Rd, Nashville, Tenn. 

The agenda includes a review of appointments to SCD boards as well as other business.

The meeting is open to the public. Individuals interested in addressing the committee should plan to arrive prior to the start of the meeting in order to be placed on the agenda.

Ed Harlan

NASHVILLE – Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson today announced the appointment of veteran TDA employee Ed Harlan as assistant commissioner for Market Development.

Harlan has served as director of agriculture and forestry development for the department since 2003. He succeeds Joe Gaines who retired in February after serving 43 years in state government.

“Ed brings a unique perspective to this position as a farmer, businessman and former county executive. He is highly respected and well known throughout the state because of his agribusiness development efforts,” Johnson said.  “I’m pleased that he has accepted this expanded role in helping us grow our food and fiber industry.”

Garlic Spinach Sauté

NASHVILLE -- Green is the first color of spring, and greens are the first crops of the garden season. In Tennessee, spring starts with turnip and collard greens, plus all kinds of lettuces. Spinach, though, is perhaps the modern favorite spring green. 

Famously nutritious, it’s also tender and sweet to eat from baby stage to full broad leaf. Spinach cooks quickly and can be successfully added to just about any savory dish for added color and nutrition.

Spinach and other “cool weather” crops like cabbage, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, onions, peas, broccoli, cilantro and asparagus begin to show up in farmers markets and on CSA, “community supported agriculture,”  farms as early  as March and will last as long as the weather remains cool and damp. Summer’s heat turns greens tough and peppery or bitter, and other cool crops begin to succumb to pests, molds and stress.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Dairy Promotion Committee will meet March 15 at
9 a.m. CST in the Porter Building at Ellington Agricultural Center, 440 Hogan Rd., Nashville. 

The committee will review the SUDIA Program Report, the 2012 TDPC audit and financial information and other business. The meeting is open to the public.

The committee comprises producers directly affected by the assessment. Members are represented in proportion to method of milk marketing either through agricultural dairy cooperatives or by direct sale.

NASHVILLE - What’s a sure sign of spring?  Obviously it’s when farmers markets start gearing up for the growing season. This year Tennessee’s booming farmers markets have a new way to help each other achieve common goals and meet the challenges of helping local farmers and customers meet face to face in the marketplace: the Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets.

Farmers market managers from across the state convened during the annual Tennessee Farmers Market Conference held in January to create an official body. A total of nine board members with three representatives from each region were chosen to lead the new group, formed to represent the fast-growing and popular facet of agriculture and to provide training and networking opportunities for all of Tennessee’s farmers market managers.

The next meeting of the association will be held March 22 in Nashville at Ellington Agricultural Center’s Ed Jones Auditorium at 11 a.m. Those who plan to attend should contact Amy Delvin at Amy@Delvinfarms.com to give the group an accurate head count for lunch.