Tennessee

The Tennessee AgrAbility Project (TAP) was represented at the 2016 Farmer's Market Boot Camps sponsored by the University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, and the Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets. The six "Boot Camp" workshops occurred at several locations across Tennessee in January, February, and March. Farmers planning to sell products at farmers markets learned five simple marketing methods, basics of marketing by social media and email, sources of grants and microloans, recordkeeping for good business management, requirements for basic types of foods that may be manufactured and sold at farmers markets, and an overview of new food safety regulations. The workshops were open to all farmers and taught by University of Tennessee Extension specialists Faith Critzer, Megan Lefew, and Hal Pepper.

TAP is pleased to announce that the Tennessee Department of Agriculture elected to promote the Homegrown by Heroes label separately but in harmony with their own "Buy Local" label. Look for the HBH logo to support your farmer veterans.

TAP was sad to hear news that long time executive director of East Tennessee Technology Access Center, Dr. Lois Symington, was retiring. For over 27 years she dedicated her life to building ETTAC and helping people with disabilities. She was a big advocate for AgrAbility and loved accessible gardening. She will be dearly missed!

Submitted by Tennessee AgrAbility