Tennessee identifies Large Animal Care Shortage Areas
May 21, 2011
Veterinarians Can Apply for School Loan Repayment Program
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has identified four areas of the state that are now eligible for USDA assistance in filling a shortage of large animal veterinary practitioners.
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) will pay up to $25,000 each year towards qualified educational loans of eligible veterinarians who agree to serve in an underserved area for three years. [Read more]
Haslan requests Presidential Disaster Declaration
May 1, 2011
Initial counties to include Bradley, Greene, Hamilton and Washington
More counties to be added as damage assessments are completed
Nashville, TN - Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has asked President Barack Obama to declare four Tennessee Counties as federal disaster areas following the severe storms, flash flooding and tornadoes that struck the state beginning on April 25th, 2011.
Should this initial request for assistance be granted Bradley, Greene, Hamilton and Washington counties would have access to varying levels of federal assistance programs.
As local officials and responding agencies complete damage assessments, other counties are expected be added to the April 25th declaration request. [Read more]
Environment and Conservation Detects Low Levels of Radiation in Tennessee
April 10, 2011
Levels Do Not Indicate a Health Threat
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation reports that results from air monitoring for radioactive isotopes confirm that no threat to public health exists related to the incident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan.
Routine and ongoing air monitoring performed by the state indicates the presence of very low levels of Iodine-131, an isotope linked to the Japanese power plant. Tennessee’s results are consistent with sampling results reported by federal agencies, licensees and neighboring states. [Read more]
Seasonal Ingredients Are Falling Out of Trees, Into Holiday Favorites
November 4, 2010
Nashville, TN – The first documented great idea that ever fell out of a tree took place in 1666, when a falling apple inspired Sir Isaac Newton to formulate some theories about gravity. Great ideas can still fall out of trees—like the idea to make traditional holiday recipes fresh and local with ingredients like apples and pecans.
Apples and pecans fall in Tennessee just in time for the holiday season, bringing a bright, clean taste to dishes sometimes weighed down with heavy herbs and gravy. Using local, seasonal foods at holiday meals is a great way to celebrate the grateful spirit of the early Americans who first feasted with them.
American holiday dishes are still anchored firmly in 18th century New England, featuring Old World herbs and staple foods made new with ingredients that were close at hand. English colonists, and later, citizens of the new republic, used local game and seafood with newfangled produce like pumpkins and corn, creating foods that expressed their newfound sense of self sufficiency and abundance. [Read more]
New Guide Shows Off Tennessee’s Plentiful, Beautiful Equine Trails
October 28, 2010
Nashville, TN – A new equine trail guide is available now from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The new statewide directory, offered free of charge, is the most comprehensive ever published for Tennessee.
Guides can be requested by visiting www.picktnproducts.org. Click on “Equine Resources” to be directed to an online request form, and the guide will be sent by mail.
The 50 page guide features easy to use regional sections combined with symbols to indicate private trails, private stables, overnight stabling, city parks, state parks, national parks & forests, state forests, bed & breakfasts with stabling, cabins, primitive camping, camping with electrical hookups, restroom and shower facilities and even wagon trails. Contact information is included for every location. [Read more]
TDA Awards Spay/Neuter Grants to Tennessee Organizations
July 31, 2010
Grants funded by Animal Friendly license plate sales
Chattanooga, TN – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture today announced the recipients of the animal spay/neuter grants at the Humane Educational Society in Chattanooga. The grants supports low cost spay/neuter programs in Tennessee and are funded through Animal Friendly license plate sales.
“This is a great program that not only helps control the number of unwanted animals but it also provides important animal and public health benefits,” said Ken Givens, Commissioner. “Every dollar the agency receives goes directly to spay and neuter services. Citizens can be assured that their money is going directly to the mission of the license plate.”
Every Animal Friendly license plate sale contributes more than $15 to fund the grants. This year, $96,000 was awarded to a total of 48 different non-profit animal care and rescue organizations and government agencies. The grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $2,500. The total funds are less than previous years, due mainly to fewer people renewing their Animal Friendly license plates. Last year, more than 2,300 animals benefited from Animal Friendly funds. [Read more]
Emerald Ash Borer Discovered in East Tennessee
July 30, 2010
Plans underway to survey and restrict movement of ash material in Knox, Loudon counties
Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture today announced the discovery of emerald ash borer (EAB), the first detection of the destructive tree pest in the state. The discovery was made last week at a truck stop in Knox County near the Loudon County line.
“We knew EAB could potentially reach Tennessee, and we’re prepared to help slow the spread of the infestation and protect our forest resources.” said state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “We will be working closely with federal officials and other stakeholders to determine the extent of the infestation and to take steps to limit its spread.”
Emerald Ash Borer.
