Five Year Pact Strengthens Farm Cooperation

Oct 13, 2025
By Farms.com

Eleven new projects strengthen Tennessee specialty crop industry

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) has announced $567,424 in funding for 11 innovative projects under the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). These investments aim to strengthen Tennessee’s specialty crop sector by supporting research, marketing, and educational initiatives that benefit farmers, producers, and consumers.

“This marks a new chapter for partnership between EPA and the Commonwealth to protect Virginia’s environment and help its agricultural economy thrive,” said EPA Regional Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey. “I look forward to strengthening our collaboration under this agreement.”

Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops, including floriculture. The program is administered by TDA’s Business Development Division and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Among the awardees, Serenity Springs Lavender Farm will host a Northeast Tennessee Farm Trail Weekend to highlight lavender farming and agritourism. Tennessee State University will advance pest and crop management through research on cucurbits, shiitake mushrooms, woody crops, Japanese beetle control, and AI-powered precision agriculture.

The University of Memphis will explore aerial technology for early detection of orchard diseases, while the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture will focus on spotted lanternfly control, expand hop and strawberry production, and develop a mobile-friendly Southeastern Vegetable Crop Handbook.

Together, these initiatives represent nine research projects, one educational effort, and one marketing campaign—all designed to enhance specialty crop production and open new opportunities for Tennessee farmers.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-steve-baccon

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.