News from TNLA
Welcome New TNLA Members! ACTIVE The Green Team, LLC Ben Jones 6120 Park Shadow Way Knoxville, TN 37924 A SSO C I AT E Custom Vinyl Signs & Shirts Mary Walker 2329 Faulkner Springs Road McMinnville, TN 37110 Nectar and Company Carmen Stanek 326 Trinity Road Thomaston, GA 30286 Swallows Insurance Kelly Swallows 1120 W. Main Street Livingston, TN 38570
Congratulations to the 2019 & 2020
Graduates of the Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program and Advanced Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program By Amy Fulcher, Extension Specialist and Associate Professor for Sustainable Ornamental Plant Production and Landscape Management, Plant Sciences Department, The University of Tennessee
The
Tennessee Master Nursery Producer (TMNP) Program and Advanced TMNP are professional development programs for nursery crop producers that are 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, science-based information with the goal of enhancing nursery profitability and environmental, economic, and community sustainability. An unforeseen benefit of the online format meant that the TMNP and Adv. TMNP were largely unaffected by COVID-19. Growers from across the state logged in, often from their home while self-isolating, and safely accessed the latest information on container, field and pot-in-pot production, irrigation, fertilization, pruning, integrated pest management, social media, plant patents, farm succession planning, and more. Those in the Advanced TMNP program enjoyed the core and elective module structure, which enabled them to complete the program by selecting content with the greatest potential benefit to their business. Growers who successfully complete the TMNP are rewarded! Over the last five years, graduates reported an estimated value of $12,987 per graduate from applying practices learned in the program that, in turn, reduce costs and/or increase crop quality. Additionally, graduates are eligible for 50% cost share in Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program, rather than the standard 35%. The total amount of enhanced cost share is estimated at $821,450 over this five-year period. The TMNP program is possible due to financial support from a TDA Specialty Crop Block Grant. If you have questions about the Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program, please contact Dr. Amy Fulcher afulcher@utk.edu. 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 Ms. Erica Alexander Bruce, producer.diversification@tn.gov, 615-837-5324. From myself and the TMNP committee, congratulations to the 2019 and 2020 Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program graduates! 2019 Advanced Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program Graduates Dale Bennett Swan Mill Nursery
Frank Collier Pleasant Cove Nursery
2020 Advanced Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program Graduates Justin Diel Green View Trees Phillip Herd Herd Farms Nursery
Michael Lorance Cherry Springs Nursery Matthew Vehr Colorburst Plant Farm
2019 Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program Graduates Mickey Adcock Little Rest Nursery
George Dodson Sleepy Hollow Nursery
Jimmy Barnes Heritage Farms
Greg Driver Pine Creek Nursery
Laurie Cantrell Swan Creek Hemp
Richard Evans Evans Plant Farm
Eric Copas ARC Farms
John Harney Harney’s Nursery
Danny Hildreth Hildreth Brothers Nursery David Hughes Rock Bridge Trees Ronnie Jennings Bo’s Nursery Sales Parker Maners Hardin County Growers
Josh Milstead Lantenn Farms Jason Painter Green Thumb Nursery Perry Sigmon Marcus Vaughn Terry’s Tree Farm Anthony Wanamaker Dry Shave Mountain Nursery
2020 Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program Graduates Walter Battle UT Extension
Tommy Hildreth Hildreth Nursery
Kacy Baxter True Roots Nursery
Terry Hines Hale and Hines Nursery
John Cento
Scott Hulvey Mingo Nursery
Pokie George
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tennessee greentimes SPRING 2021
Michael Hallum Mountain Creek Nursery
Bryant Lamberth Made in the Shade Tree Farm
James Moore Matthew Pendleton
Brian Turner University of Tennessee
Julius Sammons Lee’s Greenhouses
John Turner Turner & Sons Nursery
Linda Shivell Shy Valley Farm Studio & Garden
Terry Wiggs Triple W Nursery
Alan Varner
