TN Magic Moments

By now kudzu is so tied to the Tennessee landscape that it was voted one of the top ten plants to shape the state. But isn't it considered invasive? This episode dives into the history of how this emerald green plant came to blanket hillsides in Tennessee and why it has the status of "invasive." And, we talk to Keith Bridges, a farmer in Knoxville who has teamed up with a small army of leaf-munching goats to tackle the growing problem.

Welcome to a new season of the Tennessee Magic Moments podcast. Hosts Lauren Henry and Samantha Jean take a look at how agriculture has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews include a chat with an agriculture economist, a supply chain industry expert, and a first person account from a farmer. Listen to hear where we are headed for the future.

Do you have an outdated image of farming in your head? Is it just tractors and plows? If so, you haven’t seen today’s agriculture. Robots, drones, and piglet sensors are just some of the new technology being developed and tested on Tennessee farms. In this week’s podcast Samantha Jean talks Agriculture Innovation and how Tennessee is gaining international attention for being a leader in new tech. Interviews include the Executive Director of AgLaunch Innovative, an engineer building a robot for use in farming, and the farmer testing that product out. VIDEO about Scott Fullen and EarthSense: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYk5xs29Aiw

Craft beer isn't just for the men. More and more women are entering this male-driven industry. Host Lauren Vath tagged along for an all-women brew day appropriately held on International Women's Day to find out how the ladies of craft beer are expanding the industry. We also discover how the brewing process is directly linked to both traditional and nontraditional agriculture. Listen to meet the ladies of Clinch River Brewing and Alliance Brewing Company. Our journey starts pre-pandemic near the shores of Norris Lake and ends at an all-women panel discussion at the Barrelhouse by Gypsy Circus.

Historian David McCullough said that, “History is who we are, and why we are the way we are.” So, who is Tennessee? Tennessee is Agriculture! Host Samantha Jean takes you through a history lesson of the people responsible for preserving the legacy of farming in this state. We also meet the two young women responsible for keeping that history alive today. Interviews with Tennessee Agricultural Museum Director Elaura Guttormson, Museum Curator Sarah Williams, and grand-daughter of Governor Buford Ellington, Jennifer Wagnor-Watson.

Singer songwriter Stephanie Nash has a much earlier bedtime than her country music peers. While others croon about the virtues of the simple life on a farm in the country, Stephanie lives it. Five a.m. milking comes early, but the farm and the health of her herd always come first. Join us the second episode of the season as we explore the connection between country music and agriculture. Bradley Hanson with the Tennessee Arts Commission provides background for the legacy Stephanie finds herself following. Learn how Stephanie balances her duel careers in farming at her family's diary just outside Nashville and music. And, discover the story behind our season theme song, "Time Changes."

In this first episode of a brand new season of Tennessee Magic Moments, Samantha Jean with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and Lauren Vath with the UT Institute of Agriculture look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the agriculture community. Why were there meat shortages this summer, and why in the world did toilet paper fly off the shelves? How can we still support our local farmers while staying safe during a time when six feet of distance is the new normal? We tackle your questions and hear directly from the farmers, markets, government officials and others. Hear from Commission of Agriculture Charlie Hatcher, DVM, executive director of Nourish Knoxville Charlotte Tolley, Karen McCulley of Amazin' Acres of Fun, Jennie Schutte with Pilaroc Farms, and finally Tennessee logger Shane Lusk. And we debut our new theme song "Time Changes," written and performed by Stephanie Nash.

Married at fifteen and a teenage mom, Mackenzie Colt pored over cookbooks while her husband worked. Creating in the kitchen was a hobby, but singing on the stage would soon become a career. At seventeen she started performing in lounges and not long after found herself on TV as a Hee Haw Honey. Still ... the kitchen was calling. Thirty-six years later Colts Chocolates is a Nashville treasure with customers like Dolly Parton, Adam Sandler, Robert Redford, Garth Brooks, Ethel Kennedy, Oprah, and even former presidents. Samantha Jean sits down with Mackenzie to talk about music, entrepreneurship, and how there's magic in the kitchen.

Let's start 2020 by celebrating a career that shaped horticulture in Tennessee over the last decade and beyond. Sue Hamilton, director of the UT Gardens, Knoxville, announced her retirement at the close of 2019. But before that, she sat down with the TN Magic Moments crew to talk her 37-year-long career supporting Tennessee horticulture...as well as some tips and tricks for some winter container gardening. Curious to know what plants are in the gardening legend's house? She divulges her favorites, and the keys to a calm, fresh, green home all year long.

Laura never imagined she’d grow up to work with bees, but being her own boss isn’t surprising as she’s “always marched to her own drum.” Samantha Jean sits down with Laura Kimball of TruBee Honey to talk about how she went from working in the newspaper industry to being a successful entrepreneur. Laura found her passion for agriculture in an unusual way and discusses the ups and downs of being a small business owner.

Join UT's executive seminar class, and hear how a farm boy from the Midwest went from FFA president to running one of the nation's fastest growing barbecue chains. Rick Malir may have started City Barbeque out of his basement, but today it boasts forty-nine locations across seven states.

When a fire breaks out, Robin Bible is among those who run toward it. With more than thirty years of service to the Tennessee Division of Forestry, he works to prevent wildland fires in the state. Samantha Jean talks with Robin about why he chose a career in forestry, the forecast for the upcoming fire season, and how everyone can prepare themselves.

Hemp in America is making a good old-fashioned comeback. Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp production in Tennessee has grown exponentially. The history of hemp is interesting, but its future could be even more so. Join us as we peel back the veil on hemp in Tennessee.

The recent Census of Agriculture shows that the number of female farmers in the U.S. has risen by 27%, and more and more of those females say they have a leading role in the farm.  Samantha Jean sits down with Amy Tavalin of Tavalin Tails Farm in College Grove to talk about being a farmer, mom, and business owner. Is work/life balance a myth? Has farming changed for women from the previous generation? And why are more and more woman being attracted to the farm life?

Find out how Lone Oaks Farm is changing how we educate. They take the classroom outside and incorporate S.T.E.M. education into exploring the lakes, trees, and wildlife of Hardeman County, TN. Science, technology, engineering, and math just got a little bit messy and a lot of fun.

Daniel and Kasi Haire manage not just one, but three farmers markets in Williamson County . WHY? They have a passion for good food and helping small business owners. Both grew up in families that ran small businesses and know how hard it can be. Samantha Jean talks with them about how their farmers markets are more than just a place to buy local food, but also serve as “incubators” for those looking to build a sustainable business.

Darryl Millis is passionate about diagnosing canine arthritis in its early stages. Millis, a professor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, is a board-certified small animal surgeon and a founding charter diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Physical Rehabilitation. He has been in the field of canine physical therapy for more than thirty years. Sandra Harbison sat down with the doctor whose work has been instrumental in improving the practice of orthopedic treatment and rehabilitation of dogs.

Laura Moss has been a farmer her whole life, so when someone suggested she become a teacher she wasn’t quite sure. Eight years later it’s a job she loves and one she knows is changing the lives of her students at Henry County High School. Samantha Jean sits down with Ms. Moss to talk about agriculture education and how it’s preparing young people for jobs in farming, technology, medicine, and beyond. There’s so much more to Ag Class than you may have thought.  

Holly Jones with the UT Gardens gets us ready for spring gardening in this month's podcast. In this episode, Holly plants cool weather greens from seed and walks us through plant care from seed to stalk. Whether you are a first-time gardener or seasoned horticulturist, we hope you'll find a gardening takeaway.

He's a tenth generation farmer, dairyman, veterinarian, entrepreneur, and now the 38th Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Samantha Jean sits down with Dr. Charlie Hatcher and asks him why he wanted to be Commissioner of Agriculture, and what his priorities will be while in office.

Did you know that Americans throw out more than twenty-five percent more trash during the Holidays? Christmas may be the time for presents and decorations, but it doesn't all have to end up in a trash bag December 26. We teamed up with some creative ladies at the UT Institute of Agriculture to find unique ways to give the Holidays that extra sparkle without the waste. Listen to find gift ideas, sustainable decorations, creative gift wrapping, and so much more.

In honor of Veterans Day, we are learning about one group that many are calling the future of agriculture. That is our veteran farmers. These are individuals who have served America on the battlefield and are continuing to serve on a different type of field. Meet two farmers from East Tennessee who are rolling up their sleeves to feed their community.

This month we are hearing from several students at the UT Institute of Agriculture about their experiences pursuing degrees and future careers in the broad realm of agriculture. Hear about bat research in the jungles of Belize, and how one student is working to make sure our food is safe from pathogens. Whether they are studying equine reproduction in Florida or teaching fishing to 4-H campers, these students are representing UT well as the next generation of ag leaders.

Did you know half of Tennessee is covered by forest land? The care and protection of that land is overseen by Tennessee’s State Forester, David Arnold. Arnold was just recently appointed to the position by Governor Bill Haslam and he has some new goals for one of the state’s most important resources. Also, wildfire season is just a few months away. Meet the state’s new wildland fire chief, Wade Waters.

Tune in to this month's TN Magic Moments podcast for a sit-down chat with Charlotte Tolley, Executive director and leader of the Market Square Farmers' Market in downtown Knoxville. Join us, as we highlight the progressive and preservative efforts of the landmark, rural market that just so happen to make its way downtown. Listen now.      

Do you have a business idea? Are you trying to expand an existing business? If it involves agriculture you may want to give the Tennessee Department of Agriculture a call. Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton talks with Samantha Jean on the many services the state offers, including an exciting, fresh, new focus on agriculture business.

Tune in to this month's TN Magic Moments podcast for a sit-down chat with Samantha and Shelby, two young women with a passion for farming and an empowering global vision. Join us, as we highlight the progressive efforts of youth in today's agricultural world and the call for its hand in preserving the values of tomorrow.

Karen McCully is owner of Amazin' Acres of Fun in Sparta, Tennessee. The McCullys were second generation dairy and tobacco farmers, but when the market took a turn they found other ways to diversify. That includes strawberries! Karen shares with listeners how Amazin' Acres protected their crop from several early cold snaps and how pick-your-own farms are the perfect place to reconnect with community, food, and family.  

April showers may bring May flowers, but what do you do if urban sprawl takes away your blooms? Rain gardens are a solution to a problem created by modern life. At the University of Tennessee, the Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Sciences paired up with Facilities Services to find unused patches of dirt among concrete and create several rain gardens on campus to capture water runoff and improve campus aesthetics. However, rain gardens are a solution that can be incorporated just about anywhere. Listen to learn more.

Getting lost isn’t always a bad thing. Just ask Paul and Elizabeth Lassiter of Lost Weekend Farms in Madison, Tennessee. They’ve been getting “lost” in their backyard garden for nearly two decades. Their weekend hobby has now bloomed into a full-time career. In this podcast episode they sit down with Samantha Jean from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to discuss the importance of community supported agriculture and community farmers markets.

So you care about the environment and how your food is produced. Do farmers and ranchers share your desire for sustainability? The UT Institute of Agriculture is launching the Sustainable Beef Initiative to make it easier for producers and consumers to make sustainable decisions. How will the Sustainable Beef Initiative create a better world from farm to table? We sat down with Gary Bates from the UT Institute of Agriculture to find out.

The farm is becoming a special destination for a very unique reason. Couples are flocking to Tennessee barns to get MARRIED! Stephanie Allen and her husband have been organic produce farmers for seven years. This past year they added a new piece to their business - an event space especially tailored for the booming wedding business. Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Samantha Jean sat down with Stephanie to learn more about "The Barn" at Allenbrooke Farms and how farmers are introducing ag into a bride and groom's magical day.

Flavor is integral to how we celebrate holidays. The taste of cinnamon and nutmeg evoke memories of celebrations with friends and loved ones. Flavor is tied to so many of our five senses. How exactly do food companies create the flavors we have come to love? Curtis Luckett gave us an inside look at UT's Center for Sensory Science. Listen to learn a bit of the science behind flavor.

Did you know that shopping local or visiting a farm can help ease stress around the holidays? This month we caught up with Pick Tennessee's Cynthia Kent to talk artisan-made soap, apple orchards, tree farms, and more. A locally made gift can be a more sentimental/personal gift...especially for those on your list who "have everything." Learn how you can start your own holiday traditions while supporting your local farmer or artisan.

There is a lot of hard work that goes into your favorite cotton T-shirt or summer dress. And that is even before the sewing machine cranks to life. Learn how one of Tennessee's former top crops is still making an economic impact in the state ... and across the world. Learn how cotton is fighting to highlight its connection to the environment and is taking on the synthetic fibers industry.

In Tennessee, the county fair is an annual holiday bringing deep fried twinkies, funnel cakes, carnival rides, and more. Tennessee Department of Agriculture's Samantha Jean traveled to Putnam County to capture the magic firsthand. She also explored the county fair's agricultural roots and how it is cultivating a new generation of farmers and ranchers. Junior Fair Board Chairman Dawson Davidson may have a family connection to agriculture through cattle farming, but he tells Samantha Jean how 4-H and the County Fair sparked an interest in poultry. Here at the county fair, agriculture is treated like sports teams with grandstands and arenas, blue ribbons and trophies. Listen to experience the excitement.

Chef Allen Cain has worked in some of the best restaurants in Knoxville and Nashville during his thirty-five-year career. During that time, he has learned the importance of fresh ingredients and developed an appreciation for agriculture. However, his newest gig is taking that connection to a whole new level. Lone Oaks Farm in Hardeman County is dedicated to agriculture and education. Find out why Chef Allen left the city for the farm and how it has impacted his culinary creations.

011: Cul2vate Nutrition and a Brighter Future

Summer means ice cream. For Colleen Cruze Bhatti, that ice cream is slow-churned and freshly milked from her family's Knoxville dairy farm. While Cruze Farm and Colleen have become known for their delicious ice cream and buttermilk,

A Tennessee city is reducing the waste going into local landfills, and in the process, creating an agricultural product. UT’s Institute of Agriculture works with Lebanon’s Gasification plant to convert waste into energy and a substance known as “...

Avian Influenza has been making headlines, but what is it? We talked with Dr. Lew Strickland, who is an Extension veterinarian at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, to cut through the science. Don't worry,

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One trip to the grocery store is a virtual tour of the world! We caught up with the USDA's director of NIFA Center for International Programs to ask him about global agriculture as well as UT Institute of Agriculture's Tom Gill to find out about Tennes...

Hot days with the hint of cool nights to come mea…