Program Overview
The University of Tennessee, in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, has launched a statewide organic agriculture initiative. The intent of this initiative is to involve more Tennessee farmers in organic production in order to increase farm income and to provide an alternative to keep the family farm in the family. Organic production has the potential to increase profits by reducing the use of off-farm inputs and providing consumers with locally-grown, high-quality organic products in a rapidly growing market where the demand is greater than the supply.
News & Announcements:
NEW! Check out these items recently added to the website:
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Take a virtual tour of the farm equipment on the Organic Research Farm page.
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Did you miss a workshop? Or would you like handouts of the material presented at the workshops? Look for downloadable resources under each topic on the workshop page.
SSAWG 2010 CONFERENCE FEE WAIVER APPLICATIONS DUE DECEMBER 1, 2009 For more information, click here.
UT ORGANIC FARM INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Are you a UT student interested in learning how to farm? We are looking for five GREAT interns to start their work on the UT Organic Farm Spring Semester 2010. The production component of the paid internship program will be 9-months long (March through November) with a 16-hour farm/market commitment per week. Interns will gain skills in business planning and management, vegetable and small fruit planning and production, and direct marketing. To learn more about the internship duties, click here. To view the presentation from the informational meeting, click here. To download an application, click here.
UT ORGANIC/SUSTAINABLE AND ALTERNATIVE CROP PRODUCTION ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR POSITION
The candidate will establish a nationally recognized research program in organic and alternative cropping systems for specialty crops, with an emphasis on both basic and applied crop physiology. The candidate is expected to develop core courses in sustainable production.
Click here to read the full position description and for information on how to apply.
Upcoming Events:
January 20-23, 2010, SSAWG Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference, Chattanooga, TN. Early-bird registration by December 20. Click here for more information.
March 5-6, 2010, 6th Annual Tennessee Organic Growers Association (TOGA) Conference, Franklin, TN. Click here for registration information.
Save the date! Next year's ORGANIC CROPS FIELD TOUR is scheduled for Thursday April 29, 2010. Stay tuned for more details.
Resource Links:
Program Contact
Annette Wszelaki
Vegetable Specialist
Dept. of Plant Sciences
2431 Joe Johnson Drive
252 Ellington Plant Sciences Bldg.
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-8332
Fax: (865) 974-1947
Email: annettew@utk.edu
Find Your Local Expert
For specific questions related to organics in your county, please contact your county extension office. Click here for a directory.