The Tennessee Master Forage Program hosting a hybrid field day in Rickman Friday to provide farmers with hands-on training in pasture management and hay production.
Overton County Extension Director Jason Garrett said the event serves as the in-person component for a 12-topic certification course. Garrett said the training is open to any producers interested in learning about forage production regardless of their experience level.
“Forage is one of the, it’s the key essential to beef production as well as horse, as well as goats and sheep,” Garrett said. “Animals have to eat. And then you’re dealing with certain types of grasses. You’ve got cool-season perennials, you’ve got summer annuals, you’ve got to mix these up because certain plants don’t like certain weather.”
Garrett said the curriculum includes instruction on soil testing and identifying various weed species. The program also covers the technical aspects of storing hay inside a barn, including monitoring moisture levels and temperatures to ensure the bales are safe to stack.
“A soil sample is as good as you want it, but it’s got to be taken correctly to get the best,” Garrett said. “And how you use soil samples to save you money, instead of just buying a blend of fertilizer, sampling your soil’s going to tell you exactly what you need as well as if your property needs lime.”
Garrett said the field day will feature specialists from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and the Plant Sciences Department. These experts will lead sessions on rotational grazing and the most vital specific challenges posed by drought conditions.
“Weeds,” Garrett said. “When you get drought, you get more weeds coming up, which chokes out all the desirable grasses that you want. Another issue. A lot, like in the spring we had a drought. You know, numbers of, the hay production was down because it didn’t get enough rain.”
Garrett said completing the 12-hour educational requirement allows producers to receive a certificate necessary for cost-share benefits through the Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement Program. These certificates remain valid for three years and can be earned through various master-level courses offered by the extension office.
“You’re never too old to learn,” Garrett said. “I help a lot of people with my job that’s new and beginning farmers. So no, it is for the beginner all the way up to the seasoned farmer.”
The event begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. and includes a free meal at noon. Participants are asked to contact the Overton County UT Extension office at (931) 823-2735 to register.
