Tennessee Home & Farm Radio

What a gathering it is for the 98th Annual National FFA convention.  And a great delegation attending from the volunteer state.

Recently the University of Tennessee Institute of agriculture held a ribbon cutting ceremony at their West Tennessee Ag Research and Education Center in Jackson.  The event highlighted new on-site facilities, precision agriculture equipment and laboratory renovations funded through the American Rescue Plan.

Ryan King has stepped into a new chapter of leadership as Tennessee's Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture. Appointed by Commissioner Andy Holt, King brings passion and experience to one of the state's top agricultural roles. He says the appointment is both an honor and a responsibility—an opportunity to help shape the future of Tennessee's farming and rural communities.

For over 50 years, Apple Valley Orchard has been a cherished fall tradition in Cleveland, TN. What began as a simple hobby for the McSpadden family has blossomed into a vibrant orchard with more than 14,000 apple trees. Today, under the care of Chuck McSpadden, visitors can stroll through the scenic farm, enjoy the crisp autumn air, and explore the charming on-site store filled with fresh apple cider, homemade jams, and other delicious apple treats—all made right on the farm.

Harvest of Tennessee's main row crops is winding down and what a year its been.  From the heavy rains in the Spring to the extreme dry conditions this Summer.  And yield results are reflective of the weather.

President Trump has recently suggested importing Argentinian beef to lower consumer costs at the meat case. Chad Smith has details on how that would impact the beef sector.

For the future of American agriculture to be successful, our school-aged children need to better understand the importance of the industry to not just farmers but for all citizens.  And that's one of the many reasons we have the Ag-In-the-Classroom program.

Fall has become a great time for elementary kids to take a field trip to the farm and that's what about 1000 Maury County 4th graders did this week at the Country Classroom held at the Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center in Spring Hill.  

The Crockett County Farm Bureau recognizes two of their own with gift of learning about agriculture to local schools.

One of the last fairs of the season is the West Tennessee State Fair running all this week in Henderson.

Farmers continue to persevere through a tough harvest, as the reality of losing money sets in. Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry describes the pain farmers are feeling and why help is needed.

Farmers and ranchers are facing extreme economic pressures. Chad Smith tells us the American Farm Bureau sent letters to Congress and the Trump administration asking for immediate help and long-term solutions.

This week, a group of German farmers is exploring the heart of Tennessee agriculture, visiting local farms to get a firsthand look at how things are done in the Volunteer State. From rolling pastures to innovative practices, they're soaking up ideas and inspiration to bring back home and put to use on their own land.

For over 50 years, Apple Valley Orchard has been a cherished fall tradition in Cleveland, TN. What began as a simple hobby for the McSpadden family has blossomed into a vibrant orchard with more than 14,000 apple trees. Today, under the care of Chuck McSpadden, visitors can stroll through the scenic farm, enjoy the crisp autumn air, and explore the charming on-site store filled with fresh apple cider, homemade jams, and other delicious apple treats—all made right on the farm.

To celebrate National Egg Day the Farm & Forrest Families of Tennessee hosted an omelet cook-off at the governor's mansion in Nashville. News personalities from Nashville TV stations competed to see who could make the best omelet.

At one time, nearly 60 million bison roamed across the United States. By the late 1880s, that number had shrunk to fewer than a thousand. Thanks to conservation and recovery efforts, the bison population in the United States has now grown to around 500,000. Eddie Gaw of Lazy G Ranch in Cookeville is one of many working to help bring bison back; he now raises bison exclusively on his ranch.

As the broader ag economy continues to struggle, row crop farmers face a particularly difficult time. Chad Smith has more on the financial headwinds.

For several years now the Tennessee Farm Bureau's Young Farmers and Ranchers program has held a fall educational tour where these young people between the ages of 18 and 35 take a weekend to get together in a particular area of the state to visit and learn more about that area's ag interest.

Alyssa Clements of Clay County has been named this year's Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award winner — a recognition that celebrates her passion, perseverance, and deep roots in farming. She opens up about what the award means to her and the driving force behind her commitment to keeping her family farm thriving for generations to come.

Farmers across Tennessee continue harvest as the reality of the agriculture financial crisis sets in. Row farmers in West Tennessee explain why they need financial assistance sooner rather than later.

As of today, many federal government functions, including those from USDA, are still temporarily suspended. Chad Smith has details on what this means for farmers and ranchers.

Row crop farmers are facing difficult times. As they harvest the 2025 crop, many are grappling with losses ranging from $150 to $250 per acre. According to new projections from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), Tennessee row crop farmers are expected to collectively lose approximately $430 million this year.

Every day whether its on the farm or at home, the one item, besides food, we're all dependent on is electricity.  And Tennesseans are fortunate right now in that Mike Partin, CEO of the Sequatchie Valley Electric Cooperative, is serving as president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

For nearly 90 years, Ducks Unlimited has been dedicated to conserving and protecting wetlands across the United States. Today, that mission lives on through partnerships with farmers, providing them with valuable resources and support to implement effective conservation practices.

Several economic headwinds are combining to create a difficult financial environment for some farmers. Chad Smith has more on how farmers are managing in the midst of harvest.

Gov. Bill Lee has sworn-in Weakley County's Andy Holt as the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Practicing farm safety is often taken for granted. For Kary Robinson of Franklin County, however, it's a deeply personal issue following a close call he experienced while baling straw several years ago. He recalls the terrifying incident and urges others to take farm safety seriously.

Recent data from the US Department of Agriculture demonstrates the important role small farms play in our food system. Mike Davis has more.

This week is National Farm Safety & Health Week. It's a time when the agriculture industry pauses to focus on practicing safety on the farm and reducing accidents. Shelli Rampold with UT Extension shares some ways to stay mindful of farm safety, along with resources Extension offers to learn more.

Although increased awareness of mental health challenges and resources continue, also still ongoing is efforts in suicide prevention. Rod Bain has more.

For 11 years the agriculture community in Tennessee has come together to help rase money to feed hungry Tennesseans. Shooting Hunger is a clay sporting event that takes place in all three grand divisions. After all the events for the year all the money raised is divided evenly among all 95 counties and given to school backpack programs.

Finding new markets for U.S. farmers to sell commodities is more important than ever before. While China continues to hold out on buying American soybeans, other nations in the European Union have increased their imports. A group of people from various European nations is in Tennessee this week, learning how our farmers grow soybeans using sustainable practices. The hope is that this tour will lead to Europe purchasing even more U.S. soybeans.

Dr. Akumu Clement and his team at Tennessee State University is driving research into Precision agriculture. The technologies coming from this research is helping farmers save money on input costs and be more profitable.

This time of year for our farmers should be one of excitement and payoff for their hard work during the growing season as they harvest their row crops like soybeans and corn. But because of markets, inflation and weather, it could be 'catastrophic.'

As input costs continue to put a strain on farmers' bottom lines, a concerning trend has emerged for fertilizer prices. Mike Davis takes a look at the numbers.

More than 2,000 pounds of pork was donated to Cul2vate to go towards feeding hungry Tennesseans. The meat was donated by Tosh Farms and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation paid to have it processed.

A highly anticipated report from the Make America Healthy Again Commission was finally published. Mike Davis explains how the report recognizes contributions of farmers in making America healthy.

It's often said that, collectively, we as a generation are disconnected from how our food is grown. Less than two percent of our population farms—but you don't have to live on a farm to grow food. Dr. Steven Kennedy, with Tennessee State University's Agriculture Department, is helping people learn how they can grow fresh produce through hydroponic systems at home.

The Tennessee Valley Fair is up and going this week. They're celebrating their 105th year and keeping true to their mission of being centered around agriculture.

The Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville is up and running this week. It got started last Friday with a Hamburger grill off between local radio stations in Knoxville and a team of 4-H and FFA students – all to highlight agriculture and the delicious products produced right here in Tennessee.

Mike Taliento spent nearly 30 years serving our nation in the Army, and now he's dedicating his time and energy to raising beef cattle alongside his wife on their ranch in Montgomery County. He was recently recognized as the Tennessee Small Farmer of The Year at the TSU Small Farm Expo.

Dr. Charlie Hatcher announced Wednesday that he will be retiring as Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture effective October 1st. After nearly seven years as commissioner, Hatcher says his dairy farm in Williamson County and family is calling him back home. Governor Bill Lee has appointed current Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture Andy Holt to succeed Hatcher as Tennessee Ag Commissioner.

A group of farmers in upper East Tennessee banded together to help solve the shortage of meat processing facilities in Tennessee. Together they formed the Appalachian Producers Cooperative, which is a USDA inspected processing facility that can harvest around 125 head per week.

The University of Tennessee's Herbert College of Agriculture on the ag campus in Knoxville is bustling with students these days, perhaps more so than any other time.

A district court has overturned a burdensome aspect of a 2023 labor rule, which is good news for farmers and ranchers.

No other event quite like the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration which will crown a new world champion under the spotlight tomorrow night in Shelbyville.

Obviously, predicting the weather is harder than it seems. And for our farmers, its one of the most frustrating aspects of the growing season.  Just look at what's happened this year across Tennessee.  Thankfully, Eric Snodgrass, a Senior Science Fellow and an Atmospheric Scientist with Nutrien Ag Solutions, studies the weather, basically everyday of the year to help better inform farmers about weather impacts.

Every day whether its on the farm or at home, the one item, besides food, we're all dependent on is electricity.  And Tennesseans are fortunate right now in that Mike Partin, CEO of the Sequatchie Valley Electric Cooperative, is serving as president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Several reports have reinforced that farmers and ranchers are facing economic challenges.

Combines are beginning to hit fields as the 2025 harvest begins. Ricky Chandler is one of the first to get started, shelling white corn on one of their locations in Carroll County. Chandler says dry weather late in the growing season, combined with low commodity prices are making this season tough.

Rob & Leah Holman will soon be riding around in a new Kubota tractor on their farm in Obion County. The Holmans finished second in the Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award competition and get to use a brand-new Kubota tractor for up to 250 hours on their farm as their prize.