Tennessee Local Food is seeking a Development & Communications Manager to support the organization in building a diversified donor base and an engaged community to create positive change in our local food systems and agricultural sector.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.