Tag Archives: agriculture

The University of Tennessee Sevier County Extension Office will be conducting the eleventh Master Gardener Program in Sevier County this winter. Classes will be held on ten consecutive Tuesdays starting on Feb. 16, 2016 and will end on April 19, 2016. Class will start at 6:30 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. each day. Fourteen different topics will be taught ...

Every year as the holidays approach, I get inquiries as to whether it is O.K. to start pruning grape vines, fruit trees and other fruit crops. My feeling is that we should hold off until after the first of the year or later. My general recommendation is to wait as late in the dormant period as possible before pruning, yet ...

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The question has been asked for many years. For the 4-H members involved in the 4-H Chick Chain project it may be irrelevant, because there is plenty of chickens and potential for lots of eggs. The 4-H Chick Chain gives 4-H members the opportunity to develop an understanding and working knowledge for ...

What is Backyard Biosecurity? Backyard biosecurity means doing everything you can to protect your birds from disease. As a bird owner, keeping your birds healthy is a top priority. Your birds can become sick or die from exposure to just a few unseen bacteria, viruses, or parasites. In a single day, these germs can multiply and infect all of your ...

Fall is the time to wean and market calves born last spring. Producers use different methods to wean calves, but according to Andrew Griffith, University of Tennessee Extension livestock marketing specialist, some methods are better than others when it comes to the health of the animal. “The methods that result in fewer health problems are largely desired by many cattle ...

The Gatlinburg Farmers Market will host a Seed Swap Day on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 with a community seed swap and a talk on “How To’s and Tips for Seed Saving.” There will also be demonstrations of traditional crafts, free native wildflower seeds given away by Keep Sevier Beautiful, and music performed by Boogertown Gap – Old Time String Music ...

Sevier County students in fourth through twelfth grades may soon sign up for local 2015-2016 4-H clubs. 4-H is the youth organization of the United States Department of Agriculture and The University of Tennessee Extension. It is offered to all 4-12 grade young people in Sevier County regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. 4-H encourages youth ...

It’s almost time for the Sevier County Fair. It is set for its 80th run, Sept. 7-12, 2015, with a theme of “It’s All About the Kids.” The fair means different things to different people and most of us have childhood memories of our visits to the fair. From the rides, food, animal shows and exhibits, the fair offers a ...

When asked to conjure the image of a weed in one’s mind, many would quickly imagine small, leafy plants that invade gardens and landscaping. Few would think of a woody shrub that can reach towering heights of 30 feet. But to many farmers managing pastures in Tennessee, this weed—known commonly as Chinese privet—is very common on farms across the state. “Chinese privet ...

As interest in local farm-to-table food increases, many consumers are interested in purchasing a locally raised beef animal to accompany their locally sourced vegetables and fruits. However, the amount of meat actually available from a beef animal is a frequent source of misunderstanding among consumers, processors and cattle producers. Consumers who buy a live animal from a local cattle producer ...