Farm Classes from University of Tennessee Sevier County Extension

The University of Tennessee Sevier County Extension Office will be offering several classes and workshops for area farm families during 2015. The following is a list and brief description of classes being offered.

2015 Advanced Master Beef Producer Class

The University of Tennessee Sevier County Extension Office is announcing plans for the 2015 Advanced Master Beef Producers class. The class will start on March 21st and conclude on March 28th. Cost for the class is $175.00, but the Tennessee Enhancement funds will pay $100.00 of the cost through a scholarship. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, producers must register their farms with the National Animal Identification System and have completed the Beef Quality Assurance course. Registration need to be completed by March 15th 2015. You can call 453-3695 or e-mail wabruhin@utk.edu to receive Registration information.

There has been a change to the Master Beef Producer program. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is going to require livestock producers to complete the Advanced Master Beef Producer training every three years to maintain eligibility for the 50% cost share in the Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement Program. For those producers who attended the original Master Beef Producer class during the years of 2004 through 2008, you will be required to go through this year’s class if you did not recertify last year. If you have questions as to when you attended the class you can contact Alan Bruhin at 453-3695 and he can let you know.

For beef producers who have never been through the Master Beef training before, you can attend the Advanced Training to become eligible for the increased funding in the Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement Program.

2015 Sevier County Agriculture Winter Meetings

The following is a list of classes that will be taught at the University of Tennessee Sevier County Extension office this winter. The Extension office is located at 752 Old Knoxville Highway in Sevierville, next to the Sevier County Fairgrounds.

 

Estate Planning for Farm Families

February 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm

Dennis Jones with The University of Tennessee will discuss different estate planning strategies to assist farm families.

 

Beef Marketing Options to Increase Farm Profits

February 12, 2015 at 7:00 pm

David Bilderback, Farm Area Specialist with The University of Tennessee will present information on beef marketing options in East Tennessee and how these options can assist you in increasing farm profits.

 

Economics of Fertilizing

February 19, 2015 at 7:00 pm

David Bilderback, Farm Area Specialist with The University of Tennessee will present information on the economics of fertilizing. Under the current livestock conditions, is it profitable to fertilize.

 

Beef Quality Assurance Trainings – BQA Training

The Sevier County Extension office will be conducting two trainings for producers needing to become certified or re-certified in the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. For farmers to be eligible for funds through the Tennessee Enhancement Program, you must register your farms with the National Animal Identification System and have completed the Beef Quality Assurance course. BQA Training will be held the following two dates at the Sevier County Extension office:

February 10, 2015 at 7:00 pm

March 2, 2015 at 7:00 pm