A thought about Tennessee tobacco and CAO Cigars

Coming soon to Nashville Aficionado

We will be doing an interview with Chef Deb from restaurant ZOLA next week and it will be posted soon after. I'm working to get more interviews with the chefs of Nashville and to let you know about local food growers and providers as well.

If you love Nashville and good food, you don't want to miss this.

Hatcher Dairy Farm

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.

The University of Tennessee creates an organic farming initiative

This story was written by Chloe White
As U.S. organic food production is increasing at a steady pace of about 20 percent a year, UT has launched an organic farming initiative to "jump-start organics in Tennessee" and "help keep family farms in the family," said Annette Wszelaki, UT Extension commercial vegetable specialist.

Organic production can increase profits by reducing the use of off-farm inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides, she said.

There are currently 21 acres under cultivation at the 90-acre organic research farm at UT's Agricultural Research and Education Center off of John Sevier Highway. Fourteen acres are under transition to organic farming. It typically takes three years for a plot of land to be certified suitable for organic production, Wszelaki said.

The organic research farm was dedicated to organic crop production in fall 2007, and crops tested have been mainly vegetable crops, including carrots, beets, peppers, tomatoes, squash and watermelon.

"Nothing has been unsuccessful," Wszelaki said, noting that the first year was low-disease, which is "unusual for any farm system."

Meanwhile, the Organic and Sustainable Crop Production program is a statewide initiative aimed at involving more Tennessee farmers in organic production.

Read the entire story in the Knoxville News Sentinal.

Tennessee Agriculture and Farms win awards

Winners of the Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award, Discussion Meet, and Excellence in Agriculture competitions were announced at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 90th annual meeting in San Antonio.

Young farmers from around the United States competed for the awards by demonstrating knowledge of and achievement in agriculture, as well as commitment to promoting the agriculture industry.

Donald and Alicia Blankenship of Tennessee won the Achievement Award. They are the winners of a 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup truck, courtesy of Dodge, and a $1,000 product voucher from Valvoline. They also received free registration to the 2009 AFBF YF&R Leadership Conference in Sacramento, Calif.

Dan and Cara June Strasser of Tennessee won the Excellence in Agriculture Award. They received a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck and free registration to the YF&R Leadership Conference.

Read the entire news HERE.

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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Hatcher Family Dairy; Local business of the week

A fine local company that stays true to their core values of faith, quality, cooperation, integrity and stewardship. They process and pasteurize their own milk and opened their on store. Check them out and help support local farmers, businesses and the local economy.

Look for Hatch Family Dairy products in various stores in the Nashville area but also be sure to visit their website. You'll love the "cow of the week" feature.