Please join us on October 30 from 11 AM to 2 PM for a hands-on produce safety workshop on post-harvest handling and sanitation. Whether you are new to growing or an experienced grower, there will be something for everyone! The workshop will include a FREE lunch and items related to post-harvest handling and sanitation to take home and begin using on your farm! REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO ASSURE WE HAVE ENOUGH FOOD AND RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR EVERYONE. Please register here and see the attached flyer for more information. This will be the first workshop in a series of six across the state on a variety of produce safety topics. Please find more information about all six here. Happy fall y'all! This year UT Extension is taking part in the scarecrow contest that gives businesses and organizations the chance to show off their crafty side. It's also a great opportunity to visit your local Extension office! Voting starts October 3rd and runs through October 22nd. Please submit your votes at the email below and include the entry number #1 to vote for us! [email protected] Master Gardener's hosted a Farmer's Market of sorts for the youth at the Boys and Girls Club last week. They were allowed to "shop" for produce to take home. All the produce was grown in the garden at the Boys and Girls Club...
A “Tennessee Smart Yard” is beautiful, earth-friendly, and saves money! Learn how to create one during the Greene County Short-course Series. You will receive valuable resources and tools to help you measure your progress toward a “Tennessee Smart Yard” — one inch at a time... Instructors: Wolf Spendel, Virginia WIlliams, Jeff Gilliland, and Melody Rose
Understanding production practices, proper business planning and risks are important considerations for any farm business says Hal Pepper, financial analysis specialist with University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture. “Poultry farmers who understand the exemptions and regulations associated with direct marketing processed poultry are in a better position when it comes to evaluating value-added opportunities.” Click the chick to Register! In August, Pepper along with Adam Hopkins from UT Extension, will present a workshop designed to help poultry farmers learn the basics of backyard poultry production and how to manage the risks of on-farm poultry processing. The workshop “Backyard Poultry 101” will present information about raising poultry, USDA poultry exemptions, considerations of getting started, marketing and labeling requirements and business management. The workshop is designed for small poultry farmers who want to raise birds and for those who want to consider processing their birds and direct marketing the meat. “Backyard Poultry 101” will be held on August 28th at the Greene County Extension Office There is no registration fee, but pre-registration is required as space is limited and breakfast is provided. The workshop will begin at 9 a.m., but breakfast will be served at 8:30 AM. Click the chick above to register! Have you been noticing slimy green algae in your driveway, flowerbeds, or lawn? This slimy mess typically appeares after several days of warm, wet weather. As more rains fall, accompanied by high temperatures and equally high humidity, growth is encouraged... AND spreads! This seaweed – like gooey green mass is more than likely Nostoc, a cyanobacteria that can grow on grass, stone, or concrete. Usually it’s “happiest” in low areas that drain poorly, conditions that support a number of unwelcome growths in our lawns and landscapes. Much like mushrooms, certain conditions support its emergence, although it can remain desiccated and dormant in lawn or driveway for weeks and months. While Nostoc isn’t harmful or toxic, it looks weird and as mentioned, is very slippery. Drier weather and low humidity cause it to retreat, but will likely pop back with the next round of rain showers. Management options range from baking soda (it really works...I've tried it myself) to removing small infestations with a shovel. Improve drainage and forego irrigation of affected areas may help long-term, (but short-term not so much). Typically soils high in phosphorus will also see a more prevalent growth of this seaweed... Don't rake! This just breaks up and spreads the algae further. Moss and algae sprays are effective in some situations but even they primarily suppress, not eliminate, the messy goop. 2017 Master Gardener Interns (acting a little silly after passing their exam...) 2017 MG Interns: Back row (L-R) Estelle Strydom, Sue Rhodes, Simon WIlhoit, Susan Pezanowski, Beverly Barnett, Jane Karuschkat, Joe Brown, Todd Long, Gayle Hottinger, Steve Mallory, Casey Nicholson; Front Row: Elizabeth Ferguson & Pat Mullins UT Extension concluded training of the seventh Master Gardener class on May 17, 2017. Thirteen additional volunteers were trained in sixteen intensive classes to become members of the Big Spring Master Gardener Association of Greene County. Because of these training classes, in conjunction with 40 hours of volunteer hours given back to the county, the participants each received intern status as a Master Gardener Volunteer. This will further increase program capabilities focused on Horticulture education in Greene County.
Tennessee Master Gardeners (TMGs) are trained volunteers that help horticultural experts in University of Tennessee Extension and the Tennessee State Extension Program. They help share the latest and greatest gardening information. The program's main goals are to increase the availability of horticultural information and to improve the quality of life with community gardening and landscape programs. Master Gardeners help by answering phone requests for horticultural information in the UT Extension Master Gardener Lab; establishing and maintaining demonstration gardens throughout the county; working with the youth, the elderly, and other special groups; and designing and implementing community involvement projects. Master Gardener organizations across the state have been involved in recession-related gardening, geared at teaching people how to grow their own vegetables, teaching people how to be green and save money and time when landscaping, and sharing water and soil conservation tips. The Big Spring Master Gardener Association (BSMGA) of Greene County has been very active in numerous projects and events throughout Greene County during 2017. Master Gardeners greatly impact the agricultural community. They provide educational assistance and work with a diverse audience in the county. Projects Master Gardeners are involved with at the local level include:
Master Gardeners also participate in local, state, and national educational learning journeys.
For further information about becoming a Master Gardener, please call the UT Extension Office at 423-798-1710 or visit the Big Spring Master Gardener Association website at www.bsmga.com. The National Young Farmers Coalition is hosting a PSA Grower Training in Jonesborough on June 19. They are targeting young growers as their primary audience, and subsidizing the training considerably. For those who may have seen information on this training previously, there are two changes to note: A ticket price of only $10: the price of the training was lowered a bit more by partnering with Appalachian RC&D and the start time was pushed back from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM. Join us for an evening of fellowship to support the local Presbyterian Mission Soup Kitchen's Community Gardens! Your ticket purchase includes a sampling of two wines paired with local charcuterie trays. A “wine pull” event will also take place during the evening for an additional $20.00. Food grown on the grounds is used to supplement meals served at the Soup Kitchen each Wednesday through the year. Excess produce is also given to individuals to take home. The gardens were installed on site in 2012 to promote growth in the local community. The gardens have several raised beds on site that produce three seasons throughout the year. There is also an herb garden, blackberries, and a compost bin from which we “create” our own garden soil for the raised beds. Your continued support ensures continued success and growth of the gardens. Thank you for your support! Special thanks to our partners at the Capitol Theatre and Towne Square Package Store, Inc.! For additional info, contact: Aliceson Bales |
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