4H Chick Chain Auction Teaches Kids About Poultry Farming
The Overton County 4H Chick Chain Auction Saturday will help teach young people the ins and outs of the poultry farming business. Overton County Extension Agent Nicole Bettencourt said participants raise a handful of young chickens until they are laying eggs. At least three of the birds return to be auctioned off each fall. Bettencourt […]
Spotted Lanternflies Cause Problems, Not A Local Threat
Specially trained dogs are now sniffing out the invasive spotted lanternfly, but the bugs have not made their way into the Upper Cumberland. Putnam County Ag Extension Agent Wayne Key said the lanternflies cause problems because of their potential impact on fruit plants. Key said lanternflies were first spotted in the state near Nashville a […]
Plateau Ag Institute Hosting Steak And Potatoes Day
Experts on all things beef, fruit, and vegetable production will be on hand for the Plateau Ag Research and Education Center’s Steak and Potatoes Field Day Thursday. Center Director Walt Hitch said this event will feature speakers on multiple cattle and crop production-related topics. Hitch said producers can benefit from expert insight about increasing profitability […]
Talks Started About Using Part Of Three Star For Expo Center
Preliminary discussions underway about converting the McMinnville Roses at the Three Star Mall into an Agriculture Expo Center once the store’s lease ends. Warren County Executive Terry Bell said the county would need to renovate the 55,000 square foot building. Bell said the talks are just a discussion for now, but he wanted to hear […]
Warren County FFA Farmers Market Teaches Ag Business
Warren County FFA Students getting a first hand look at the business side of agriculture with their bi-weekly farmers market. Warren County Schools Communications Coordinator Sarah Cantrell said the school’s FFA chapter is very active. Cantrell said as a CTE program, FFA is always looking for ways to prepare future producers for their careers through […]
Tick Related ER Visits Up Nationwide, More People Bitten
Tick bites have been a bigger problem than usual this year for emergency rooms nationwide and a Putnam County Ag Extension Agent said the weather may be a factor locally. Ag Extension Agent Wayne Key said the wet spring allowed ticks to populate, and they have acclimated well to the heat this summer. Key said […]
ZWT Ranch Hosting Family Friendly Agriculture Event
Overton County’s ZWT Ranch will host Tennessee Angus Field Day Saturday to celebrate beef cattle and the beef industry. Farm Manager Wil Mayes said the event is meant to be informative and educational for beef produces of all ages, and he hopes it gets more kids excited about agriculture. “It’s you know, getting harder every […]
Collins Named New Overton Ag Extension Consumer Agent
The Overton County Ag Extension Office has hired Amy Collins to be the new Family and Consumer Sciences agent. Collins recently obtained a masters degree in community health and nutrition, focused on helping rural communities. Collins said the appeal of the job came from her passion for food and community, as well as previous experience. […]
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 […]
