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.

The Root and Bloom Fellowship is an advocacy and power-building educational opportunity for 35-40 farmers across the country. Organized into two major phases, ROOT and BLOOM, fellows will explore how many of the challenges young and BIPOC farmers face nationwide are deeply woven and rooted in federal agriculture policy.

This survey seeks to assess the regional need for equipment and infrastructure related to the activities of seed cleaning, saving, sorting, and storage. The goal is to assess and document what is available currently and what is worth investing in, in order to build out a more resilient regional food system within our watershed.

The SARE Fellows program provides an immersive educational experience for participants to enhance their understanding of sustainable agriculture through broad-based training and interpersonal interactions at unique agriculture operations nationwide. Participating Fellows build professional relationships, improve their teaching and technology transfer skills, and are better prepared to develop programs that meet the needs of their local agricultural communities. 

Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers Chapter is asking for your help to secure access to farmland is the number one barrier to entry for young farmers. This is compounded when poorly planned development pushes up land prices and moves farmland out of production permanently. Tennessee ranks third in the nation in agricultural land lost to real estate development, with current estimates at 275 acres lost each day. If we want a future for young farmers, we must slow farmland loss and increase pathways for land access for young farmers. 

A small farmer named Ashley Brooks is planning a Juneteenth Feel-Good Festival at her farm, Ruby’s Happy Farm on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 from 1:00 -7:00pm. She needs 3 speakers: one to talk about beekeeping; one to speak on native plants; and one to speak on beginning farming (discuss experiences - good and bad; training you attended etc).

Maintaining a caterpillar high tunnel can be done with an annual inspection of key components such as hardware, bows, end wall framing, ropes, and plastic covering to ensure structural integrity and optimal conditions for plant growth and protection. This proactive approach serves to protect the investment in the tunnel infrastructure, and it reduces stress during the busy season by preventing potential issues before they escalate.

This program seeks to actively engage farmers from 21-40 years old in a yearlong series of interactive learning and networking experiences, focused on gaining a deeper understanding of a wide variety of agriculture, agribusiness, and government issues. The program also helps young farmers build a strong, enduring network of peers and agribusiness and government contacts. Participants are sponsored to attend events, engage in virtual conversations, and participate in exclusive learning opportunities.

Are you looking for a place to farm in Montgomery County, TN? Hydroponic greenhouse, high tunnels, and land for lease or sale in Montgomery County.