NASHVILLE (TSU News Service) – More than 400 agricultural experts, farmers and officials from across Tennessee and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are expected to attend this year’s Small Farms Expo and Small Farmer Recognition program at Tennessee State University.
The Expo, hosted by the TSU College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences Cooperative Extension Program, opens on Thursday, July 30, at the Agricultural Research and Education Center (The TSU Farm). The Expo will culminate with recognition of the state’s top four farmers, and the Farmer of the Year Award presentation.
Highlights of the Expo will include farm demonstrations and tours for area high school students, displays of new research projects and experiments, as well as showcases of the latest farming equipment, agricultural products and produce, and new farming techniques.
One major kickoff activity leading to the Expo is the “TSU Extension Agent Showcase” on Wednesday, July 29, from 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in the Ferrell-Westbrook Complex (The Barn). During this period, all 50 Extension agents from across the state will unveil exhibits showcasing the impact of the their activities throughout Tennessee.
Among new research projects at this year’s Expo is an effort to “Promote pigeon pea production for limited resource farmers of Tennessee as a food, forage and soil improving crop.”
Sponsors include the USDA, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, University of Tennessee Extension, the Tennessee Farm Bureau, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Farm Services Bureau, among others.
Among officials expected are the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Julius Johnson; the President of the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, Dr. Tim Cross; the President of TSU, Dr. Glenda Glover; and Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences.
More details on the Expo can be found at http://bit.ly/1D6LXzo.
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About Tennessee State University
With more than 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 45 undergraduate, 24 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.