NASHVILLE – Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect that destroys ash trees, has been found in Greene, Campbell and Cocke counties. These areas are all adjacent to counties already under an EAB quarantine. The identification was made recently and has been confirmed by USDA.

“The spring, summer Emerald Ash Borer surveys are in full swing to determine the extent of the infestation,” said Gray Haun, TDA Plant Certification Administrator. “We will be working closely with federal officials and other stakeholders to take steps to limit its spread when found and protect our forest resources and urban landscapes.”

EAB attacks only ash trees. It is believed to have been introduced into the Detroit, Mich. area 15 to 20 years ago on wood packing material from Asia. Since then, the destructive insect has killed millions of ash trees across several states including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

- Listing Serves as Helpful Drought Management Resource -

NASHVILLE – The 2012 Tennessee Hay Directory is now available to help livestock producers source locally grown forages. The directory is produced through a partnership between the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and provides a listing of hay available for sale by county.

“With record temperatures and drought conditions, many Tennessee livestock producers are feeding hay at a time when they are normally cutting it for winter use,” state Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson said. “Although this is a service that we provide every year, it will be particularly helpful to farmers this year who are looking to buy or sell hay.”

The directory is available by visiting the Farm Bureau’s website at www.tnfarmbureau.org.

Agency provides resources for farmers and ranchers facing critical decisions due to hot and extremely dry weather; information is available for homeowners, too

KNOXVILLE – University of Tennessee Extension has launched a new effort to assist the state’s farmers and ranchers as they respond to the historic and unseasonably hot and dry weather – weather that is causing crops to wither and turning pastures to dust plots. The impacts are already far-reaching, with estimated drastic reductions in harvests, especially in feed available for livestock this fall.

Through a public website, farmers have direct access online to information that can help them make the critical and sometimes heart-wrenching decisions necessary to keep their operations and families financially viable. Information specific to Tennessee production systems has been collected and cross-linked on the website: https://utextension.tennessee.edu/drought/ which will be available to the public free of charge on a 24-hour basis.

Prohibition Applies to All Open-Air Burning, Other Counties Expected

NASHVILLE – State Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson has issued a burn ban for Cheatham, Dickson, Gibson, Giles, Marshall, Maury and Sumner counties. The burn ban is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

The ban applies to all open-air burning including leaf and woody debris and construction burning, campfires, outdoor grills and other fire activity outside of municipalities where local ordinances apply.

Under state law, the commissioner of agriculture, in consultation with the state forester, has the authority to issue burn bans at the request of county mayors under certain weather conditions. Requests from county mayors for a burn ban are considered in consultation with the state forester based on a number of factors including weather, climate, fire danger, fire occurrence and resource availability.

State Officials Urge Citizens to Delay Burning Debris, Leave Fireworks to Professionals

NASHVILLE – State officials are urging citizens to take fire precautions for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is asking the public to refrain from debris burning until significant precipitation is received and to avoid other activities that could cause fire.

“Most areas of the state are experiencing very hot and dry conditions with low humidity,” State Forester Steven Scott said. “While permits are not currently required for open, outdoor burning, as a precaution we’re urging citizens to avoid debris burning until conditions improve.”

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture today announced an Order by the State Veterinarian specifying conditions under which wild-appearing hogs are to be transported in the state.

The order was issued in support of legislation passed this year by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Bill Haslam making it illegal to transport and release wild-appearing hogs without proper documentation. The new law goes into effect July 1.

“Wild hogs have the propensity to reproduce in great numbers, carry diseases, destroy crops and cause serious ecological damage,” state veterinarian Charles Hatcher said. “The purpose of the order is to help reduce the incidence of disease and to support efforts to prevent the illegal transportation and releasing of wild hogs.”

2012 Pick Tennessee Products Winners

NASHVILLE – Tennessee chefs, retail stores and the makers of Tennessee’s finest foods have won honors from the state’s Pick Tennessee Products campaign.

Among those honored include Executive Chef W. Tyler Brown and Chef Cole Ellis from Nashville’s Hermitage Hotel Capitol Grille, for their commitment to local farm and foods preservation; Food City Produce and Knox Region Kroger for offering local produce and processed products in retail groceries; and Purity and Mayfield dairies for their longstanding partnerships with Pick Tennessee Products.

The top three Tennessee foods for 2012 are Nashville’s Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Company, owned by Scott Witherow, in first place; Brentwood’s Glazee’ Artisan Ice Creams and Desserts, owned by Michael E. Woody, second place; and BBQ Fight Club barbecue sauces by Katy and Andy Garner, owners of Nashville’s popular Hog Heaven restaurant, in third place.

NASHVILLE – Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive insect that destroys ash trees, has been found in Union and Monroe counties. These areas are all adjacent to counties already under an EAB quarantine. The identification was made recently and has been confirmed by USDA.

“The spring, summer Emerald Ash Borer surveys are in full swing to determine the extent of the infestation,” said Gray Haun, TDA Plant Certification Administrator. “We will be working closely with federal officials and other stakeholders to take steps to limit its spread when found and protect our forest resources and urban landscapes.”

EAB attacks only ash trees. It is believed to have been introduced into the Detroit, Mich. area 15 to 20 years ago on wood packing material from Asia. Since then, the destructive insect has killed millions of ash trees across several states including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

NASHVILLE – The wait is over, localvores. Despite a late cold snap that proved disastrous for some fruit crops in patchy spots across Tennessee, the three week warm spell that came before has farmers markets filling up with summer produce earlier than usual.

Pamela Bartholomew, agritourism and farmers markets coordinator for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, reports that summertime favorites like yellow squash, zucchini, broccoli, cabbage and cucumbers are already being picked, and that homegrown tomatoes and sweet corn are not far behind.

Following Mother Nature’s lead, The Main Street Farmers Market of Dyersburg opens Saturday, June 9, when it will also host the first official tour stop of this summer’s “Pick Tennessee Products” tour. The state agriculture department tour will stretch across the state, reaching as far East as Maryville and running through August.

Warm winter and spring with an April freeze has impacted farmers

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced he has requested a secretarial designation of natural disaster for Hancock and Hawkins counties due to April’s freeze.  

Haslam made the request in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. A secretarial designation would make farmers eligible to apply for lost income recovery, low-interest loans and other disaster assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency.