Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program

Congratulations to the 2018 Graduates of the Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program!

By Amy Fulcher, Extension Specialist and Associate Professor for Sustainable Ornamental Plant Production and Landscape Management

The Tennessee Master Nursery Producer (TMNP) Program is a professional development program for nursery crop producers that is led by the University of Tennessee with support from TSU and the USDA. It is the first program of its kind in the nation and was designed to provide Tennessee nursery producers with up-to-date scientifically based information in order to enhance their profitability and environmental, economic, and community sustainability. During 2018, growers from throughout the state logged in from their homes or offices to access the latest information on container and field production, irrigation, fertilization, substrates, pruning, propagation, integrated pest management, economics, and marketing.

Growers who successfully complete the TMNP are rewarded! Graduates have been eligible for 50% cost share on Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program grants rather than the standard 35%. In addition, since the launch of the online program in 2014, graduates reported an estimated value of $11,149 per graduate from applying practices learned in the program that, in turn, reduce costs and/or increase crop quality. The TMNP program is possible due to support from a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant administered by the TDA.

2018 Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program Graduates

Mark Burch, Riverdale Nursery

Andy Estes

Olivia Flanders, Botanico, Inc.

Terry Gallagher, Heather Farms Nursery, Inc.

Mack Harney, Harney’s Nursery

Danny Hildreth, Hildreth-Brothers Nursery

Willis Jepson, Jepson Family Farm Partnership

Steve Jones, Greenwood Nursery, Inc.

Terry Panter, Terry Panter Nursery

William Pearson

Danny Pirtle, Pirtle Nursery *

Scott Rubley, Rubley’s Nursery

Marsha Scott, Hidden Valley Nursery, LLC

Michael Smith, Hardin County Growers

Tim Wanamaker, Wanamaker Nursery

* Danny Pirtle was inadvertently omitted from the 2016 graduate article.

If you have questions about the Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program, please contact: Dr. Amy Fulcher afulcher@utk.edu 865-974-7152 Please check our website www.tnmasternursery.com for updates and detailed information about the online program topics, cost, etc. For questions about applying for or becoming eligible for TAEP or other TAEP questions, please contact:

Mr. Boyd Barker producer.diversification@tn.gov 615-837-5136