Home canning continues to make a comeback, and tomatoes are among the most popular commodities to can says Dr. Janie Burney, a professor and food preservation specialist with the University of Tennessee Extension Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. As the canning season begins, Burney answers questions that beginners and those experienced in food preservation often ask about canning tomatoes. ...

Ticks “tick off” just about everyone. They are known carriers of disease, most notably in Tennessee, Ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but many are becoming increasingly concerned about Lyme disease as well. Researchers with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture have practical advice for reducing your risk — and the risk to your children and pets — of ...

With obesity rates so high, consumers are looking for ways to reduce sugar even in home-canned foods says Janie Burney, a professor and food preservation specialist with the University of Tennessee Extension Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. “Many consumers like the taste of fresh produce preserved at home, but they want less sugar,” Burney said. Here are some tips ...

Knowing how to properly store your fruits and veggies can help you keep them fresh longer. A handy produce storage chart produced by food safety and fruit and vegetable specialists with University of Tennessee Extension was originally designed as a guide for those who prepare and store foods in commercial settings, like schools, health care facilities or restaurants; but the ...

As the days start to get longer and warmer, cattle will need more water. It is easy to forget that something as common as water is a vitally important nutrient for cattle. “We often take it for granted because it is more abundant here in the southeast than it is in some other parts of the country,” says University of ...

Local beekeepers say a swarm of bees is no sign for alarm. When left alone, the swarm usually poses no threat. However, experts say the bees themselves may be in need of some help. “If you see a swarm of bees clustered on a branch or shrub, please let someone know who can help in their capture,” says Charles Foutch, ...

Sevier County 4-H Wildlife Judging Team Members recently brought home honors in the Eastern Regional 4-H Wildlife Judging Team Competition held at The University of Tennessee Holston Research Farm in Knoxville. Sevier County teams placed second, fifth and sixth in the Junior High Division and had several individuals earning individual placing awards. Overall, eleven Sevier County 4-H members participated in ...

Six Sevier County 4-H members will receive intensive training in their project areas at the University of Tennessee. William Barbee, Olivia Browning, Holly Glynn, Nate Sams and Colin Tillman from the Homeschool 4-H club along with David Hall from Jones Cove are delegates to the State Junior High 4-H Academic Conference in Knoxville, June 9-12, 2015. They will be among ...

UT Extension of Sevier County will be offering a Free Freezing Fruits & Vegetables Class on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at the Extension Office in Sevierville. Free recipes, demonstrations, and updated research will encourage participants to consider freezing as an option for preserving food. The class is FREE, but pre-registration is needed by May 27. You may register by calling ...

For the first time in more than 60 years, industrial hemp can be produced in Tennessee. The 2014 United States Farm Bill and a new law enacted by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2014 both provide for the lawful production of industrial hemp, which differs from the genetically similar marijuana that remains unlawful to grow. “Industrial hemp is regarded primarily ...