Tennessee Home & Farm Radio

It's growing time in Tennessee and if you planted a garden you're probably harvesting some fresh vegetables. Dr. Behnaz Molaei with TSU is telling people how easy it is to grow food in their own backyard with a little knowledge and hard work.

Dr. Jaye Hamby, a Tennessee native, is now leading USADA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture as the director at USDA headquarters in Washington DC.

We continue to share the important story of American and Tennessee agriculture.  It's the biggest driver of our state's economy and in fact, for many states around the country and there's no doubt it's an important aspect of our national security, protecting our farmers and the food they grow.

For decades Beef Expo has brought youth from across the Volunteer State together to show cattle. This year's event happened in Lebanon at the state fairgrounds, bringing generations together to continue what has become a family tradition.

Kelsey Barnes is joining fellow Obion County native, Steven Vaden, in our nation's capital at USDA. Vaden was officially sworn is as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture earlier this week and Barnes is serving as senior advisor to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. Barnes describes what it means to her to serve in this roll and how her agriculture roots in Tennessee are helping her.

The One Big Beautiful Bill is on now law, and as Chad Smith tells us it includes many important provisions for America's farmers and ranchers.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins announced the Trump administration's plan to boost American agriculture called the National Farm Security Action Plan. Rollins announced the seven point plan alongside other cabinet members at USDA headquarters. She says every point is aimed at improving American agriculture for farmers.

From his century farm in Union City to now the second in command at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington DC, Stephen Vaden says its been surreal to be sworn-in as deputy secretary.

Wayne Hughes is the ninth generation on his family's farm of Rocky Field Farm in Greene County. His first ancestors first settled on the farm in 1796 - the same year Tennessee became a state.

With Independence Day cookouts being planned, one way to get your proteins is looking at what retailers are featuring in the way of sales and deals. Rod Bain reports.

Second Harvest Food Bank has been working to help feed hungry Tennesseans in Middle and West Tennessee. They are now getting help from farmers through their Farm to Families program which sources food directly from local farms to stock their food banks.

A day of celebration across the state as Gov. Bill Lee held special bill signing ceremonies for the Farmland Preservation Act that he helped to pass through the Tennessee General Assembly.  At the same time he kicked off the year-long celebration of America 250 leading up to next year's Independence Day.

This past week Tennessee Tech University Leadership Summit was held for rising juniors and seniors to develop leadership strategies and make plans to strengthen their communities. Tennessee Tech University hosts the event each year to empower student voices and create collaborative problem-solving.

The cost of feeding a crowd this July 4th will be about the same as last year, when shoppers saw a record high cost. Chad Smith has the numbers.

TSU recently broke ground on their new $90 million Ag building. University officials explain what will be housed in the new facility, and how it'll change the way they teach agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau Federation's 2026 Convention will feature a familiar name to college football fans.

Each year, Tennessee Farm Bureau's Ag in the Classroom program hosts Teacher Tours across the state to show teachers the opportunities of incorporating agriculture into their classrooms. Today we're featuring the Teacher Tour held in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The wet weather we've experienced in May and the early part of June has put farmers behind on wheat harvest and planting. With dryer weather forecasted for the rest of this week, farmers are hitting the fields hard to try and get caught up.

Being mindful of folks who are in need of food is no doubt an important calling. That's why for the past decade or more Shooting Hunger has been an effort to fight hunger in Tennessee.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall recently spent time meeting with key officials for one of the U.S.'s top potential trading partners.

Around 30 incoming high school seniors are spending their summer at UT Martin as a part of the Tennessee Governor's School for Agriculture Science. Some participants describe what the summer has been like & why studying agriculture is so important to them.

Current Tennessee 4-H council members are wrapping up their final weeks in their positions traveling across the state and visiting with and thanking key sponsors of the 4-H program. They explain what it's meant to serve the organization they have grown up in and that has shaped them into who they are today.

The Southern Association of Departments of Agriculture or, SASDA, is in Tennessee this week for their annual conference. SASDA is made up of 14 different state departments of agriculture including Tennessee. Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Charlie Hatcher, explains why it's important for SASDA to meet and how proud he is to host it in his home state this year.

Several farmers and ranchers are voicing their concerns about farm labor with their elected officials. Chad Smith has a firsthand account from Capitol Hill.

A small group of Tennessee young farmers joined hundreds of others from across the nation this week in Washington D.C. as part of the American Farm Bureau's biannual Advocacy Fly-In.

Fruits of the Backyard — a fun field day for anyone wanting to grow berries, whether it's on your front porch or in a raised garden bed. Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center hosts the event each year to promote agriculture in urban areas and teach people how to grow fruits with limited land and resources.

Stephen Vaden, Tennessee native, former USDA general counsel and judge on the Court of International Trade has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture at USDA.

Tennessee Farm Bureau is dedicated to connecting people with the story of agriculture, not just on the farm, but in the classroom too. Through its Ag in the Classroom program, the organization equips educators with tools to help students understand where their food, fiber, and fuel come from. 

Its hard work but it's been worth while for John Harrison and his family at Sweetwater Valley Farm in Philadelphia, Tennessee.

In Tennessee, there's a strong sense of partnership among the agricultural community that helps strengthen our overall ag economy, especially in tough times.  And recently the Tennessee Farm Bureau hosted representatives from the various commodity organizations, University of Tennessee, the department of agriculture and others to review the most recent legislative session and other issues facing the ag industry.

There aren't many dairy farms left in Tennessee but one of the more unique ones still around is Cleburn Jersey Farm in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Laura Purtle is the sixth generation on the farm and takes pride in continuing the legacy her ancestors have passed down for decades. They have the oldest continuing milking jersey herd in the Nation. Laura explains what it means to her to carry on the legacy of their dairy farm and how they've expanded to keep it all going.

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has announced that Dr. Justin Rhinehart will serve as the new dean of the extension service.

This May will gop down as one of the wettest in recent memory. All the rain has delayed farmers from getting in the hay fields for their first cutting. The first few days of June have been dry and allowed farmers to finally get out and start cutting hay.

June is dairy month and while the number of milk cow dairies is now hovering around only 100, its still an important part of our overall ag economy in Tennessee.  And without question, an important part of our diet.

For years now, the University of Tennessee has been offering classes and programs to help and assist our farmers to produce better crops and livestock.  And now they are launching their latest, the Tennessee Master Forage Program.

For more than nine decades, the Tennessee Walking Horse has continued to provide an experience as many would say like no other.  It was in the Spring of 1935 when a group of owners and admirers of what were known as plantation walking horses, got together and formed what is known today as the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association.

Poultry is Tennessee's top agricultural commodity that employs thousands and supports communities across the state. David Wilds of Morristown, Tennessee, the regional vice president at Koch Foods and president of the Tennessee Poultry Association, shares more about the industry and the importance of associations like the Tennessee Poultry Association.

Pam Stoutt of Knox County was recently awarded the Friend of FACCT award for her many hours spent reading to kids during Ag literacy week. She explains what it meant to receive the award and why she's so passionate about teaching kids about agriculture.

On this Memorial Day we pause to remember and honor those who died defending our freedom. Rory Williams is a retired Army Veteran who now farms in Marshall County. He explains why Memorial Day is so important and how he remembers his fellow servicemen who died in the line of duty.

This weekend is the unofficial start to summer and many of you will probably be firing up the grill over the three-day weekend. Rod Bain has some food safety tips for you and your family as you enjoy grilling some delicious meat.

For more than a decade, the Tennessee Poultry Association has been hosting golf tournaments and a sporting clay shoot to raise money for scholarships to send students to college for the future of the poultry industry. And as executive director Tracy Rafferty said, TPA has raised more than $300,000, giving roughly $45,000 out each year.  

USDA issued a series of proposals intended to support small farms. Chad Smith has an overview.

Poultry growers from across the south recently gathered for the southern states poultry policy discussion. The meeting was put on by the American Farm Bureau and intended to help unite poultry growers as one united voce for their industry.

Farmers and ranchers took center stage as the new administration learns more about the labor shortage impacting U.S. agriculture. Chad Smith has more.

For several years now thousands of Tennesseans have been participating in leadership programs offered through our various counties.  Its actually estimated that there are now somewhere around 88 of our 95 counties that have various leadership programs and there's always a connection to agriculture.

Lots of concern across the south over the New World Screwworm.  While the parasitic fly was eradicated in the united states decades ago, recent detections in Mexico have prompted imports of live cattle, horses or bison suspended along the Mexican border and the Tennessee State Veterinarian has issued an alert for all livestock and pet owners to be aware of the dangers of the serious threat of this invasive pest.

For Randy Massey of East Tennessee, he's always gotten into a business where there's high demand and that's what led him to the Akaushi breed of cattle in 2017.

A waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency is good news for E15 fuel availability. Chad Smith has more what this means for consumers and farmers.

Dr. Paul Plummer came back home to Tennessee last year.  The Sevier county native was named the 6th dean of the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine last April.  He was a graduate of the program in 2000 and he has spent much of his career at Iowa State University. But now he's back on the family farm and leading the vet college to further improve the school's nationally recognized program.

This Mother's Day we salute all the moms out there pulling all the long hours and days to raise their children. Valerie Teal of Coffee County is raising her three kids on their family farm alongside her husband. She shares the ups and downs of motherhood and why it's the job she most loves.

Shooting Hunger is celebrating helping feed hungry Tennesseans for 10 years! The first shooting hunger event of 2025 recently took place in Maryville, TN. Participants talk about the fun event & why it's so important that is continues.