HIRING: Community & Operations Coordinator at Nashville Food Cooperative
The Nashville Food Cooperative is seeking its first employee to help build and grow a community-owned local food system in Nashville. This is a flexible, part-time position (approximately 20 hours/week) for someone excited about cooperative development, local food systems, and helping shape a long-term vision for a community-owned grocery cooperative.
USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Soliciting Applications
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture is soliciting applications for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) for the fiscal year 2026 funding cycle to support the delivery of education, outreach, and technical assistance for beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States.
DEADLINE: TN Local Food Summit’s Call For Proposals
The call for Proposals deadline is on May 22nd for the 2026 TN Local Food Summit. The 16th Annual Tennessee Local Food Summit is heading to Nashville, TN, on December 4–6, and we want YOUR voice on stage. Whether you're a farmer, food system advocate, educator, or community organizer, we're looking for session proposals that advance a resilient and equitable local food network in Tennessee.
Keeping an Eye Out for Spotted Lanternfly Nymphs
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture posted the following notice: It's time to keep an eye out for Spotted lanternfly nymphs in Tennessee! These invasive insects feed on a wide range of plants and can quickly spread if not managed early.
ACS Expands National Partnerships to Advance Sustainable Agriculture
Working alongside partners from across the country, ACS is helping deliver technical expertise and on-the-ground support to farmers implementing practices that enhance soil health, improve water quality, and strengthen long-term farm resilience.
Senate Bill Aims to Strengthen USDA Support for Urban and Innovative Farmers
This bill provides programmatic improvements and resources for the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production to address the growing program demand and equip the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Centers with tools to support the unique needs of urban and innovative operations.
LISTEN: Sustainable Animal Husbandry & Fiber Farming with Bugtussle Farm
Hear from Eric & Cher Smith about their livestock management strategies and the process of creating fiber products in the context of their regenerative, biodynamic, diversified family farm.
Supporting Farmers After Winter Storm Fern: The Impact of the Farmer Relief Fund
When Winter Storm Fern caused historic damage across Middle Tennessee earlier this year, farmers faced costly repairs just as the busy spring season was beginning. TN Local Food’s Farmer Relief Fund quickly stepped in to provide support. Thanks to the generosity of Farmers Friend, LLC and Farm Aid, we were able to help farmers recover and return to the essential work of feeding our communities.
House Farm Bill Update
In February, the House Agriculture Committee introduced their draft of the next Farm Bill, which Young Farmers opposed for failing to prioritize equitable farmland access, to invest in critical nutrition and local food programs, or to provide climate action tools for farmers.
‘Pick TN Products’ Connect Consumers with Local Producers
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture announces the launch of an updated Pick Tennessee Products website, offering a more streamlined way for consumers to connect with local farmers, producers and artisans across the state.
Accessing Cold Damage to Fruit Buds
With temperatures expected to dip below freezing and with buds of many fruit crops either being open, Dave Lockwood is here to answers your questions about possible bud damage.
Organic Market Report Shows Strong Growth
The 2026 Organic Market Report released by the Organic Trade Association shows that U.S. sales of certified organic products accelerated in 2025, reaching $76.6 billion with an annual growth rate of 6.8%.
We’re Hiring!
TN Local Food is seeking a Part-Time Marketing & Communications Coordinator to support outreach for ongoing programs. This role focuses on content creation, social media management, newsletters, and event communications. The position is remote but requires residence in Middle Tennessee with occasional in-person event coverage in the Nashville-area. Experience with social media platforms, Mailchimp, and Canva is required. Experience or interest in the agricultural/food systems space is a bonus. Interested? We’d love to hear from you!
SURVEY: Deer Damage to Row Crops
We are inviting you to participate in a study conducted by University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture focused on estimating the economic impact of deer damage to row crops, specialty crops, turfgrass, and nurseries. We tried to make the survey short but collects the data we need to measure the economic impact. We are not asking for any personal information.
HIRING: Two School Gardens’ Positions
A New Leaf Nature School is hiring for two positions this spring. Gardener Role: to develop and maintain productive, beautiful growing spaces across our campuses. As Farm Hand, you’ll do daily care of chickens and goats, plus weekly upkeep of the barn, coop, and grounds.
SEEKING: Farmers for Ujaama Café
Rebecca Selove is seeking farmers who want to learn more about Ujamaa Cafés in Nashville. Ujamaa Cafés are located within community centers, schools, health clinics, and pantries to offer free diverse and healthy food options.together farmers, chefs and food entrepreneurs, and folks living in economically underdeveloped neighborhoods with limited access to nutritious food.
APPLY: Strategic Sprint to the Southeast
The Strategic Sprint is a week-long executive-level education experience to bring the best in entrepreneurship training to farmers. Farmers are already business and community leaders: our Strategic Sprint invites them to spend a week off-farm in a luxury setting to focus deeply on the business side of their goals and to gain toolsets and mindsets to help catapult their growth and refine their strategies for achieving their Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals (BHAGs) for their operations.
RFI: TN Department of Children Services
DEADLINE February 4th - The State of Tennessee, Department of Children's Services (DCS) is seeking information from qualified vendors, particularly Department of Agriculture Pick TN providers, who can supply locally grown fresh food products, including beef, produce, and shelf-stable items to various DCS facilities across the state.
RESOURCE: 2026 Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook
This handbook comprises up-to-date information developed from research and Extension projects conducted across the Southeast. It contains the information that you need to manage your vegetable crops, including which varieties to plant, planting dates, fertilizer recommendations, cover crop selection and conservation tillage options, pesticide selection, grafting, fertigation, plasticulture, postharvest handling, and alternative pest management tools, as well as many other topics.
FUNDING: Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund
The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is a competitive small grant program administered by the Farmer Veteran Coalition that provides direct assistance to veterans who are in their beginning years of farming or ranching. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 to purchase equipment or supplies that will support your farm business.