Master Farmer Program To Be Held At TSU In Nashville

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is co-sponsoring the upcoming Tennessee Master Farmer Program March 19-20, 2007 hosted by Tennessee State University’s Cooperative Extension Program. The Master Farmer Program is a voluntary program designed to address environmental issues related to production agriculture. It helps farmers enhance production and management skills critical for continued sustainability in agriculture.

The program will be held in the Agricultural Information Technology Center (AITC Building) located in the Agricultural Research and Extension Complex on the TSU Main Campus at 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd. in Nashville. Topics include: risk management programs; farm management; farm support programs (Farm Service Agency and Tennessee Department of Agriculture); NRCS Farm Bill programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP); conservation planning; and best management practices.

The goals of the Tennessee Master Farmer Program are to:

• Increase knowledge in whole farm planning
• Demonstrate knowledge of environmental stewardship
• Demonstrate resource management through the implementation of a comprehensive conservation plan

The program is open to new and established farmers or landowners in Tennessee. Pre-registration is required. The registration fee is $50.00 per farmer, $65.00 per couple and $5.00 for additional persons per farm. The registration deadline is March 2, 2007.

The Master Farmer Program was first established at Louisiana State University in 2001 to encourage farmers to voluntarily change some of their practices to address environmental concerns.

To register please contact Bridgette Collins at 615-963-1842. For more information on the Tennessee Master Farmer Program, contact Finis Stribling, III at (615) 963-1843 or Aaron Robinson Sr. at (615) 963-2294.