News Release
For Immediate Release — July 28, 2008
2008 Tennessee Small Farm Expo and Small Farmer Recognition Program
Nashville, TN -- (June 18, 2008) -- The fifth Small Farm Expo and Tennessee Small Farmer Recognition Program will be held at the Tennessee State University Agricultural Research and Extension Demonstration Farm in Ashland City, Tennessee on Friday, August 8 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This year’s theme is “Healthy Soils-Healthy Farms-Healthy Foods.”
Awards will be presented in three categories based on two farm income brackets. Two awards for Best Management Practices, Innovative Marketing, and Alternative Enterprises will be given along with a statewide overall Small Farmer of the Year Award. The winners will be announced during the awards luncheon at 12:00 Noon. The event is free and open to the public however, registration is required.
There will also be production and management field tours at the event, which will include the following: rotational grazing, organic systems, hybrid walnut trees, Christmas trees, watermelon and cantaloupes, multi-use of goats, small fruits, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, pepper, and pasture poultry. Demonstrations will include plastic culture, and small farm equipment. An optional tour will include the US Army Corp of Engineers nature trail.
To have an educational display booth for your organization at the Small Farm Expo, please contact Alvin E. Wade, Extension Associate Professor at (615) 963-5530 or awade@tnstate.edu. The event is sponsored by Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency.
THE DEADLINE DATE FOR REGISTRATION IS AUGUST 1. To register, please contact Helen Oumer at (615) 963-1351.
DIRECTIONS
To reach the TSU Research and Extension Demonstration Farm from downtown Nashville, take I-40 West toward Memphis. Then take the US-70/Charlotte Pike, Exit 201. Turn right onto Charlotte Pike. Turn right at the light just past the Wal-Mart Shopping Center onto River Road. Then go approximately 11 miles, and look for the sign, “Tennessee State University Demonstration Farm.” The farm address is 3101 River Road.
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Contacts:
Cheryl Bates-Lee, Director of Media Relations, (615) 963-5331
Dr. Roy Bullock, Extension Services, (615) 963-5536