A farmer known for dedication to and leadership within the agricultural community, Jeff Aiken has been appointed Deputy Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. made the announcement today. Beginning Mar. 1, Aiken will oversee many of the day-to-day operations for the department and assist in directing staff, supporting programs and services, and collaborating on policy development.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is scaling up efforts to prevent damage by the gypsy moth. Starting Jan. 12, 2022, the Division will accept bids to trap the tree pest in Johnson, Carter, Sullivan, Washington, and Unicoi Counties.

The Tennessee Beef Promotion Board will meet Jan. 21, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. CDT at the Tennessee Beef Industry Council located at 530 Brandies Circle Suite A in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

The Tennessee Wine and Grape Board will meet Jan. 12, 2022 at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. CST in room 200 of the Davis Science Building located at 422 Old Main Circle.

The Tennessee Equine Health Advisory Commission will meet Jan. 5, 2022 at 1 p.m. CDT. The meeting is open to the public to attend via an internet-based teleconferencing system.

The Tennessee Forestry Commission will meet Jan. 11, 2022 at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville, Tenn. The meeting will take place in the conference room of the Bruer Building located at 406 Hogan Road.

The Tennessee Corn Promotion Board will meet for a two-day meeting. The meeting will begin on Jan. 18, 2022 at 1 p.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. CST at the Wildwood Resort and Marina located at 316 Granville Hwy, Granville, Tenn. The meeting will reconvene on Jan. 19, 2022 at Caseta Farms located at 780 Dixon Springs Highway, Riddleton, Tenn. from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Governor Bill Lee is honoring Dr. Adam Travis of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) for exceptional service to the state and his fellow Tennesseans with the Governor’s Excellence in Service Award. Travis is the administrator of the Technical Services Laboratory for TDA’s Consumer and Industry Services (CIS) Division and the interim director of the C.E. Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory.

This Saturday is the perfect day to start your holiday shopping with gifts sourced from Tennessee farms and food businesses. November 27 is set aside for Small Business Saturday to encourage shoppers to support local businesses. Gift buying is easy in your area with Pick Tennessee Products.

The Tennessee Soil and Water Conservation Commission will meet Dec. 6, 2021 in Franklin, Tenn.

The Animal Health Division of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture announces Dr. Alexa McCourt, D.V.M. as director of the One Health program. One Health is a collaborative effort among veterinarians, physicians, environmental scientists, public health professionals, and others to address health challenges that affect people, animals, plants, and the environment. Dr. McCourt will oversee the department’s role in improving communication and outcomes for a variety of health concerns, including emerging infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, and emergency preparedness.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) today announced the Tennessee Riparian Incentive Program. This program is a ten-year agreement between TDA and TVA, and it will provide incentive payments to streamside landowners to help restore and protect Tennessee waters.

The Tennessee Wine and Grape Board will meet Nov. 10, 2021 at the Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville, Tenn. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. CST in the Holeman Building conference room located at 424 Hogan Road.

Tennessee's state veterinarian confirms a horse in Weakley County, Tenn. tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The horse was euthanized due to the severity of the case.

Landowners can increase the value of their land, enhance water quality, and maintain healthy woods with the Duck and Elk Watershed Initiative. The cost share application is open for landowners in the 13-county watershed until Oct. 29, 2021. Counties include Bedford, Coffee, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Humphreys, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, and Williamson.