Annual Women In Ag Event Friday Offers Learning, Teamwork
The annual Women in Agriculture Summit returns next Friday, with topics from cattle farming to gardening and weed prevention. The Upper Cumberland Extension Team hosts the annual event, set this year for Liberty. Overton Ag Extension Agent Jason Garrett said the summit is a valuable opportunity for women to gain tangible skills in the industry […]
Wilson Elementary Library Promotes Reading With Greenhouse
Wilson Elementary School is constructing a new greenhouse thanks to a state-funded Innovative School Model grant. Librarian Anita Phillips said whether it is non-fiction books about plants or raised garden beds, she tries to find ways to connect kids to horticulture. “They learn a lot of trade, they learn how to finance, they learn how […]
Local Ag Agent Said Planting All Clear Due This Week
Have we reached the point where you are safe to plant new pieces in your yard and garden? Pickett County Extension Agent Billy Garrett said by the end of this week, you should be good to go. But Garrett said you still have to be mindful of chilly nights across the region. “There’s some people […]
Hay Season In Full Swing, Rain Both Positive And Negative
The abundance of rain this spring and summer has helped hay production, but hurt the harvesting process. Overton County Ag Extension Agent Jason Garrett said the rain delayed the spring crop harvest. Garrett said cool season grasses are better when harvested earlier because of their nutrients. “Everybody was behind,” Garrett said. “Which affected the quality […]
Fire Ants Highly Aggressive, Can Sting, Common In Area
You may have seen the mounds or the piles or dirt. Fire ants are the little-but-mighty insect that can bring trouble to yards and pastures. Clay County Ag Extension Agent Wyatt Montooth said fire ants can be identified by their red coloring that gets darker near the tail. Montooth said fire ants tend to congregate […]
Higher Beef Prices Leading Some UC Farmers To Sell Off, Retire
Beef Month celebrates the Upper Cumberland’s most popular commodity each July, but the industry is changing. Overton County Ag Extension Agent Jason Garrett is a beef producer. He said beef cattle remains the primary income stream for many farmers in the region. But Garrett said price increases have challenged beef farmers locally and nationally. “When […]
Invasive Hammerhead Worm Spotted In Fentress County
The hammerhead worm, an invasive pest native to Southwest Asia, has been spotted in Fentress County. The hammerhead worm is a flatworm with a shovel-like head. Fentress County Ag Extension Agent John Gunter said hammerhead worms prey on earthworms. Gunter said earthworms are needed to help regulate the dirt. “We have the potential to have […]
Overton Group Working To Create New Community Club
The Overton County Family and Community Educators group has started the process to add a club for the community. The group operates through the Overton County Ag Extension Office. Director Christina Swallows said about 12 people met that wanted a day-time club. “They did decide that each of them would bring something they are working […]
Overton Extension Office To Get Additional Employee For 4-H Services
Overton County Commission approved an additional 4-H employee for its UT Extension Office at its Monday meeting. Co-Director Christina Swallows said that the opportunity for an additional employee was rare. Swallows said that Governor Bill Lee recently made the allowance for additional employees for smaller counties. She said that the extra help will allow current […]
Van Buren Extension Office Welcoming 4-H Agent Back Home
Van Buren County Ag Extension will welcome new 4-H agent Shelby Boyer on September 1. Boyer said during her time working in Trousdale County, her goal was always to do this work back at home. Boyer said her passion for 4-H comes from opportunities kids get to be highlighted across the state. “Citizenship and the […]
