NASHVILLE – The Tennessee departments of Agriculture and Economic and Community Development are hosting a "Rural Opportunities Roundtable" for farmers, landowners, local extension and county leaders in Wayne, Perry, Lewis and Hickman counties. The meeting will take place June 7 at 10 a.m. at Bradley's Restaurant, 126 S. High Street in Waynesboro.

The purpose of the meeting is to hear stakeholder concerns about current agriculture and forestry issues and to explore opportunities for developing the state's rural economy and increasing farm and forest income. The agenda includes a discussion of the Ag Enhancement Program, forest certification, forest products and other topics of interest to area landowners.

Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson and other agriculture and economic development representatives will all be on hand to discuss programs aimed at growing local, rural economies. There will also be time for open discussion by participants.

Inspections, permits no longer required for individuals selling baked goods, jams and jellies produced in home kitchens with proper signage

KNOXVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam recently signed into law a bill that brings changes to how foods produced in home kitchens are regulated. The changes are effective immediately.

The new law allows Tennesseans who manufacture for sale non-potentially hazardous foods – baked goods, candy, jams and jellies, for example – in a home kitchen to forgo inspection and permitting by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Regulatory Services Division.

Individuals who choose to forgo inspection under the new law must display signage alerting consumers. However, all home kitchen food manufacturers, permitted or not, are still required to label products using the common name of ingredients by predominance and to provide a net quantity statement.

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

“We are continuing our surveys 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 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 Tennessee Department of Agriculture in cooperation with Rock Springs Dairy of Bradford, Tenn., is announcing a recall of quart and half gallon Whole Creamline Milk.

As a precaution, the company is voluntarily recalling the product because of incomplete pasteurization. The problem was discovered through TDA’s routine sampling and testing program for food and dairy products. The product is believed to have been distributed to approximately 17 stores in West Tennessee.

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.