Newsroom

Tennessee’s weather has been accommodating for most Christmas tree farms this year, making it a great time for your family to pick the perfect tree to take home.

Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. has announced the appointment of Chris Eaton as Assistant Commissioner for Administration and Grants. As the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) chief financial officer, Eaton will be responsible for budgeting, forecasting, and analyzing, preparing, and reconciling financial statements.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry (TDF) and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) have partnered with the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) to improve forest health and habitat for at-risk wildlife through forest restoration and management across the Cumberland Plateau. Visitors to Lone Mountain State Forest and Catoosa Wildlife Management Area will reap the benefits of healthy and thriving forests, enhanced wildlife viewing, and interpretive signage.

The Tennessee Wine and Grape Board will meet Nov. 16, 2022 at 10 a.m. CST. The meeting is open to the public to attend. Participants may join via an internet-based teleconferencing system.

Gov. Bill Lee has proclaimed October 16 – 22, 2022 as Tennessee Forest Products Week. He encourages residents to recognize and celebrate our forests and the renewable resources they provide as an important part of our state's history, economy, culture, and well-being. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry (TDF) is celebrating with the Tennessee Forestry Association and their shared ForestryWorks program.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) announces the promotion of Danny Sutton to Assistant Commissioner for Consumer and Industry Services (CIS). Sutton has served as CIS Director since 2019, tasked with managing regulatory programs affecting consumer protection and safety.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) announces their participation in a program that will increase purchases of local foods from Tennessee’s underserved farmers and producers and get it to those who need it most. TDA will participate in the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA), established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service.

The Tennessee Dairy Promotion Committee will meet Nov. 2, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. CDT at the Putnam Co. Extension Office located at 900 S. Walnut Ave # 4, in Cookeville, Tenn.

In observance of National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 9 – 15, 2022 the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry reminds citizens that our state is heading into fall fire season. Dry conditions and trees that shed their leaves heighten fire danger and a debris burn permit is required for leaf and brush piles beginning October 15.

The Tennessee State Veterinarian is lifting statewide poultry restrictions following the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) last month in a backyard flock in Obion County, Tenn.

The Tennessee Wine and Grape Board will meet Oct. 12, 2022 at the Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville, Tenn. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. CDT in the Holeman Building conference room located at 424 Hogan Road.

The Tennessee Beef Promotion Board will meet Oct. 21, 2022 at 1 p.m. CDT at the Tennessee Beef Industry Council located at 530 Brandies Circle Suite A in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The meeting is open to the public.

Tennessee’s agritourism season is in full swing. Spanning from Shelby County to Johnson County, people of all ages will visit pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and apple orchards looking for décor, wagon rides, festivals, and all sorts of fun right up through Halloween.

For 35 years, the Clean Water Act’s Nonpoint Source Program has funded projects that improve water quality and reduce or eliminate nonpoint source pollution. Water quality grant proposals are now being accepted by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

A strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has sickened a poultry flock in West Tennessee. To protect the health of other domesticated birds, the State Veterinarian is leading the emergency response and ordering an immediate halt to poultry shows and exhibitions and sales of poultry at livestock markets, flea markets, and swap meets statewide.