Within the past few weeks, many Tennessee strawberry growers have received notice from plant suppliers regarding potential disease problems in their plants. This notice comes at the worst possible time since growers have long since ordered plants and many paid deposits on them. They have been preparing land for the new plantings – often including fumigation, constructing raised beds and laying plastic on them, and getting irrigation systems ready for use at the time of planting. Depending on location, planting for plasticulture systems is done from mid-September through mid-October.

Two Quick Cut Greens Harvesters from Farmers Friend - $300 each, BCS Compost Spreader - $1900, and a Single Row Jang Seeder - $300

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy-efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

The Development Director leads the development and fundraising work of Young Farmers, providing vision and guidance in the creation and implementation of fundraising strategies to raise $4.5 million annually across foundation, corporate and individual funders.

Are you a start-up interested in working with farmers on trialing your technology? AgLaunch is still accepting applications for its AgLaunch365 accelerator and farm trial program. This unique opportunity is open to agtech startups in row crop, livestock, and specialty crop sectors. Applications are due by August 5th.

Does anyone need a place to keep 2-4 pigs for the year? I have a good 1/2 - 3/4 acre I need rooted out with plenty of shade but I don't want to raise my own pigs this year. I can trade space for your pigs for you teaching me about pigs. I'm not asking for any of the meat in exchange for the space.

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced that by allowing enterprise units by organic farming practice, adding enterprise unit eligibility for several crops, and making additional policy updates. These updates, which are detailed online, are effective beginning with the 2025 crop year.

USDA has unveiled a new rural energy resource guide that will make it easier for rural communities to identify federal funding for clean energy. Bright Ideas: Federal Resources to Boost Energy Efficiency in Rural America showcases USDA Rural Development programs that are helping individuals and organizations finance renewable energy systems and infrastructure across rural America.

Researchers at Dartmouth University found that farmers’ motivations for adopting regenerative agriculture were not entirely monetary. Their study revealed that many farmers view improving soil health as a way to improve their quality of life by reducing their dependence on outside inputs. In addition, some farmers indicated that using regenerative practices made their work more enjoyable and interesting.

Blossom­ drop is a condition suffered by tomatoes, peppers, snap beans, and some other fruiting vegetables where the plant blooms but fails to set fruit, the blooms die and fall off. Tomato plants lose their blossoms for several different reasons usually related to some kind of stress.

Regular monitoring is crucial for spotting tomato hornworms early and mitigating their impact on your garden. By routinely inspecting your tomato plants, particularly the underside of leaves, you can detect hornworm eggs and small larvae before they cause significant damage.

The Sustainability Project Manager supports the Division of Sustainability’s goal to increase energy and water efficiency and decrease waste and greenhouse gas emissions across Metro-wide Government operations. As part of a small, collaborative team, this position designs and implements strategies that measurably advance this goal.

Last week, the House Committee on Agriculture passed the first draft of Chairman Glenn “G.T.” Thompson’s Farm Bill, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (HR 8467), after a 13.5 hour hearing.

From SARE: USDA is accepting applications for the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP). FMPP supports the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer markets to increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.