State Cost Share awards announced for farm innovation, diversification
For more than 300 farmers across Tennessee, the hope to expand or improve their farming operations just became a reality.
State Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens announced Ag Growth Initiative awards totaling nearly $1.7 million to help 312 Tennessee farmers invest in new or expanding areas of agriculture. The Ag Growth Initiative is part of a program established in 2005 by Governor Phil Bredesen and funded by the Tennessee General Assembly to spur farm investment in Tennessee.
The Governor encouraged farmers to utilize the program for innovation in remarks at the 2007 Tennessee Small Farmer Recognition event in August.
‘We want you to try new things, and we want to support your new endeavors. By staying innovative, open to change ready to adjust to the times and demands of the market; by staying in touch with advances in technologies and techniques; and most of all by staying willing to try something new, small farmers can blaze big trails for the State of Tennessee,’ Bredesen said.
In its third year, the Ag Growth Initiative is helping farmers expand or improve their operations through production of diversified agricultural products. Diversified agricultural products include agritourism, aquaculture, bees, fruits and vegetables, horticulture, goats and sheep, organics, value-added products, viticulture and others as approved by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
‘We’re making a real difference for farmers who want to be farming in the future, and who have an entrepreneurial mindset to succeed,’ said Givens.
Thanks to Governor Bredesen and the Tennessee General Assembly, we’ve been able to double the cost share awards this year for specialty farm projects statewide.’
The Ag Growth Initiative is part of the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program, which provides a variety of cost share opportunities for farmers and also includes programs aimed at cattle improvement, hay and feed storage, and animal health improvement.
Through the Ag Growth Initiative, Tennessee farmers can apply for reimbursement of 35 percent, up to $15,000 in some instances, for eligible cost share activities. The dollars are meant to help farmers who want to install farm infrastructure, purchase specialty equipment and/or market their diversified farm products. Applications are then reviewed for eligibility, ranked and approved on a competitive basis, based on project plans and the potential to increase farm income.
The 312 projects funded this year represent a wide range of new and emerging agricultural investments. Warren county producers lead the state in project approved this year with thirty seven producers to receive almost $230,000 in cost share funds. The county’s producers also lead the state last year as well.
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WILL IT FROST THIS WEEK?
The frosts of fall are rapidly approaching. The cool weather is usually good for grasses like tall fescue and orchardgrass. But sorghums used for forage can be toxic after a frost. The frost causes the release of prussic acid, or cyanide. Grazing sorghums that have been frosted has the potential to be deadly. Forage sorghum, sorghum x sudangrass hybrids and johnsongrass can be toxic. Pearl millet or crabgrass does not release prussic acid. To minimize the potential for prussic acid poisoning, follow these management practices:
1. Do not graze for two weeks after a non-killing frost.
2. Utilize sorghums as hay after frost.
3. Do not feed silage cut from a frosted field for 6 weeks following ensiling.
Prussic acid usually dissipates in 7-10 days following a frost, but extra care should be taken to avoid potential poisoning.
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TN HAY PRODUCTION
Hay production, excluding alfalfa, is forecast at 2.42 million tons, 42 percent below 2006. Yields are expected to average 1.3 tons per acre, down a ton from last year and the lowest since 1962. Acreage is estimated at 1.86 million acres, up 60,000 acres from a year earlier.
Livestock producers have endured limited grazing, as well as hay and water shortages due to an on-going drought. As of October 1, hay stocks were rated 46 percent very short, 37 percent short, and 17 percent adequate. Despite a few rain showers during September, pastures remained in mostly very poor to poor condition.