APPLY: Farmers Market Promotion Program
Grower News Caroline Hutchins Grower News Caroline Hutchins

APPLY: Farmers Market Promotion Program

From SARE: USDA is accepting applications for the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP). FMPP supports the development, coordination, and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer markets to increase access to and availability of locally and regionally produced agricultural products.

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Farm Bill Update From NYFC
Grower News Caroline Hutchins Grower News Caroline Hutchins

Farm Bill Update From NYFC

We have three live marker bills that you can ask your members of Congress to include in the final draft of the Farm Bill: 1) Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities Act, 2) Small Farm Conservation Act, and 3) Farmer-to-Farmer Education Act.

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SURVEY: Red River Watershed CONSERVATION
Grower News, Community Caroline Hutchins Grower News, Community Caroline Hutchins

SURVEY: Red River Watershed CONSERVATION

Help us bring millions of dollars in funding for conservation work to our region! The Cumberland River Compact has put together a survey for farmers in the Red River Watershed to gauge interest in conservation practices. Even if you aren't interested in conservation, please consider taking the survey and letting us hear your thoughts.

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APPLY: Root and Bloom Fellowship Program
Grower News Caroline Hutchins Grower News Caroline Hutchins

APPLY: Root and Bloom Fellowship Program

The Root and Bloom Fellowship is an advocacy and power-building educational opportunity for 35-40 farmers across the country. Organized into two major phases, ROOT and BLOOM, fellows will explore how many of the challenges young and BIPOC farmers face nationwide are deeply woven and rooted in federal agriculture policy.

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10 U-pick STRAWBERRY farms WE LoVE
Community Caroline Hutchins Community Caroline Hutchins

10 U-pick STRAWBERRY farms WE LoVE

May welcomes one of the most beloved agricultural moments in Tennessee, the magical return of the strawberry patch, when farms open their fields to give suburbanites and city folk alike, an opportunity to get their hands dirty and stained.

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SURVEY: Seed Saving Equipment and Infrastructure Needs
Grower News Caroline Hutchins Grower News Caroline Hutchins

SURVEY: Seed Saving Equipment and Infrastructure Needs

This survey seeks to assess the regional need for equipment and infrastructure related to the activities of seed cleaning, saving, sorting, and storage. The goal is to assess and document what is available currently and what is worth investing in, in order to build out a more resilient regional food system within our watershed.

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APPLY: SARE Fellows program
Grower News Caroline Hutchins Grower News Caroline Hutchins

APPLY: SARE Fellows program

The SARE Fellows program provides an immersive educational experience for participants to enhance their understanding of sustainable agriculture through broad-based training and interpersonal interactions at unique agriculture operations nationwide. Participating Fellows build professional relationships, improve their teaching and technology transfer skills, and are better prepared to develop programs that meet the needs of their local agricultural communities. 

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Support SB 2099 to address Farmland Loss in Tennessee
Grower News Caroline Hutchins Grower News Caroline Hutchins

Support SB 2099 to address Farmland Loss in Tennessee

Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers Chapter is asking for your help to secure access to farmland is the number one barrier to entry for young farmers. This is compounded when poorly planned development pushes up land prices and moves farmland out of production permanently. Tennessee ranks third in the nation in agricultural land lost to real estate development, with current estimates at 275 acres lost each day. If we want a future for young farmers, we must slow farmland loss and increase pathways for land access for young farmers. 

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SEEKING: Speakers for Upcoming Juneteenth Feel-Good Festival
Grower News Caroline Hutchins Grower News Caroline Hutchins

SEEKING: Speakers for Upcoming Juneteenth Feel-Good Festival

A small farmer named Ashley Brooks is planning a Juneteenth Feel-Good Festival at her farm, Ruby’s Happy Farm on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 from 1:00 -7:00pm. She needs 3 speakers: one to talk about beekeeping; one to speak on native plants; and one to speak on beginning farming (discuss experiences - good and bad; training you attended etc).

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Summer Internships at Sequatchie Cove Farm
Grower News Caroline Hutchins Grower News Caroline Hutchins

Summer Internships at Sequatchie Cove Farm

Learn how to farm by working alongside the Keeners and the crew here at the farm as we complete our daily tasks of tending to the chickens, gathering eggs and packing them for sale and moving fencing for our rotationally grazed sheep and pigs. Help with planting, weeding, harvesting and packing of our seasonal, organically grown vegetables. Help with wholesale deliveries and weekly farmers markets. Participate in and help with set up for on farm events such as farm dinners and Cumberland Folk school classes. 

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How to Maintain Your Caterpillar High Tunnel
Grower News Caroline Hutchins Grower News Caroline Hutchins

How to Maintain Your Caterpillar High Tunnel

Maintaining a caterpillar high tunnel can be done with an annual inspection of key components such as hardware, bows, end wall framing, ropes, and plastic covering to ensure structural integrity and optimal conditions for plant growth and protection. This proactive approach serves to protect the investment in the tunnel infrastructure, and it reduces stress during the busy season by preventing potential issues before they escalate.

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Young Farmer Accelerator Program
Grower News Caroline Hutchins Grower News Caroline Hutchins

Young Farmer Accelerator Program

This program seeks to actively engage farmers from 21-40 years old in a yearlong series of interactive learning and networking experiences, focused on gaining a deeper understanding of a wide variety of agriculture, agribusiness, and government issues. The program also helps young farmers build a strong, enduring network of peers and agribusiness and government contacts. Participants are sponsored to attend events, engage in virtual conversations, and participate in exclusive learning opportunities.

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HIRING: Working Lands Coordinator Cumberland Transfer
Grower News, TN Local Food News Caroline Hutchins Grower News, TN Local Food News Caroline Hutchins

HIRING: Working Lands Coordinator Cumberland Transfer

The Working Lands Program Coordinator reports to the Working Lands Division Manager. This role supports working lands programming, including the Compact’s River Friendly Farms program, mine land reforestation, and other educational and conservation initiatives for farmers. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual seeking to make a positive impact on rural lands in the Cumberland River Basin.

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Learn more about Organizing From the National Young Farmers Coalition
Caroline Hutchins Caroline Hutchins

Learn more about Organizing From the National Young Farmers Coalition

Beginning in March, on the last Thursday of every month at 3pm ET/12PM PT, NYFC invites you to learn more about the work we are doing with our partners, fellows, and other farmers across the country and how you can get involved. These conversations will take place over Zoom - be on the lookout for information on our first session!

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HIRING: Farmer Resource Steward at Steward Unlimited
Grower News Caroline Hutchins Grower News Caroline Hutchins

HIRING: Farmer Resource Steward at Steward Unlimited

The Farmer Resource Steward will work with the Stewards Unlimited team to support a growing client base to identify, apply, and manage grant funding from a variety of sources. This position relies heavily on writing, project management, and coordination, requiring someone who can communicate effectively on video calls and documents.

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