Number of Tennessee farms declining

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Story from WSMV news in Nashville...

According to new census numbers, the number of farms in Tennessee is in serious decline, forcing farmers to look to produce different crops.

Figures show the number of farms in Tennessee has shrunk by 9 percent during a five-year census study.

Farmer Bob Strasser isn't surprised by the figures because the workdays are long, tough and dealing with unpredictable weather is risky business.

Agriculture officials said many farms have closed as part of tobacco settlements. The drought, rising costs and urban sprawl also played a part in the decline.

Farmers today are now looking to the future. What is food today could be fuel tomorrow.
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Read the entire story at WSMV.

Tenn. officials say 2008 harvest deemed a good one

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Despite lingering drought conditions in some parts of the state, Tennessee agricultural officials say 2008 is a good year for the harvest.

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Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens said the rain that fell during the growing season was timely, if not abundant, and the weather wasn't overly hot when corn was pollinating.

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Read more in Forbes. Article written by Randall Dickerson

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