News from TNLA

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

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

Jimmy Barnes – Heritage Farms

Laurie Cantrell – Swan Creek Hemp

Eric Copas – ARC Farms

George Dodson – Sleepy Hollow Nursery

Greg Driver – Pine Creek Nursery

Richard Evans – Evans Plant Farm

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

Kacy Baxter – True Roots Nursery

John Cento, Pokie George & Michael Hallum – Mountain Creek Nursery

Tommy Hildreth – Hildreth Nursery

Terry Hines – Hale and Hines Nursery

Scott Hulvey – Mingo Nursery

Bryant Lamberth Made in the Shade Tree Farm

James Moore, Matthew Pendleton & Julius Sammons – Lee’s Greenhouses

Linda Shivell – Shy Valley Farm Studio & Garden

Brian Turner – University of Tennessee

John Turner – Turner & Sons Nursery

Alan Varner & Terry Wiggs – Triple W Nursery