Small Farm Expo

The 2012 Small Farm Expo and Small Farmer of the Year Awards will be held on August 30, 2012 at the Tennessee State University Agricultural Research and Education Center on the main campus of Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee from 8:00am until 2:00 pm.

Nominations for the 2012 Small Farmer of the year are open!

Attend the Expo:
   Visit vendors
   Attend workshops
   Enjoy a free lunch
   Recognize the outstanding small farmers in Tennessee

Educational Workshops
   Small Farms Diversification:
   Social Media Marketing
   Exploring Potential New Markets & Enterprises

   Farm Financial Planning :
   Ways to Improve and Manage your Farm’s Credit Portfolio

Field Demonstrations:
   21st Century Greenhouse Technology Today:
   Tour and Demonstration of TSU’s new Greenhouse

   Organic Vegetable Research:
   A Showcase of Organic Vegetable Research at TSU

   Community Gardens:
   Do’s and Don’ts of Coordinating a Community Garden

   Benefits of Safe Pesticide Use and Handling:
   Pesticides can be a valuable tool for good living and best management practices

   Small Flock Chicken Production:
   Is “Backyard Poultry Production” for you and your home or small farm?

   Equipment 101 for Small Farms:
   Get the Right Equipment for your Operation

There is no cost for attendance, pesticide points will be available. More information is available here.

The following three small farmers were recognized at the 2011 Small Farmer of the Year Awards Ceremony:

Hilda Braun: Hilda Braun, along with her husband, Werner, operate a 100 acre cow-calf beef operation in Bledsoe County. Mrs Braun is a member of the Bledsoe County Cattleman’s Association, The Tennessee Livestock Association, and the Bledsoe County Farm Service Agency County Committee where she is active in several current programs including providing knowledge and assessment during times of natural disaster. With a small herd of 40 animals, the Brauns are able to manage their operations using current best practices including rotational grazing, cross fencing, and a new state-of-the-art watering system.

Realizing the need for a better grazing management system during the dry periods so prevalent the past few years, Mrs. Braun took the initiative to sign up for the 2010 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Funded in March 2011, she has since been diligently working towards completion of all approved practices. Examples are a pumping plant, three frost-free watering facilities, a water well for livestock, and 1,650 linear feet of pipeline. She is also installing 3,180 linear feet of cross fencing and 4100 linear feet of access control fence to exclude cattle from all water bodies on the property.

Mrs. Braun has impressed the farming community with her tireless work and conservation ethic. She has taken a proactive role in the well-being of her livestock and, with these conservation practices in place, she takes pride in her current efforts while striving to become a better farmer for tomorrow.

Ray Radford: Ray Radford’s farming operation consists of approximately 425 acres with 300 acres in pasture and 125 acres in hay. His main farming enterprise is a cow/calf operation featuring the unique Corriente breed. Ray chose these cattle because of characteristics he particularly admired and appreciated.

To be sustainable, Ray had to develop a marketing plan which capitalized on the unique characteristics of his livestock. To do that, Ray decided to market his product directly to the consumer and carve a specific market niche. That niche includes leases for penning and roping, sale of seed and breeder stock, leasing of breeding and breaking bulls, and the sale of grain-fed and grass-fed cattle. Ray’s creative product line also includes locker beef, trophy skulls and horns, and exquisite tanned hides.

Ray is an involved community leader for both adults and youth, serving as the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association President for Rutherford County. He recently led that organization in conducting a Youth Showmanship Class at no charge to area youth who show an interest in cattle. Recognizing the importance of “hands-on” experience, he has donated the use of his cattle to local youth organizations for agricultural events and workshop. Ray is also an active volunteer and leader in the “Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed” church-based youth group and carefully works with various ethnic groups to ensure that religious preferences are respected and observed as animals are harvested. His creative and entrepreneurial spirit make him uniquely deserving of this award.

Walden Family Farm: In 1986, the Walden brothers, Robert and Raymond, their sister, Ramona, along with their spouses, purchased a 260 acre family farm on Rocky Fork Road in Smyrna, Tennessee. The Waldens wanted a farm large enough for all family members to have their own acreage and still be able to share their lives with one another. In 1999, Robert Walden’s son, Randy, and his wife, Heather planted a few rows of pumpkins just for fun. Not having planned for the bumper crop of 500 they harvested , they ended up selling the surplus to inquiring motorists who saw them piled up against the barn. This was the beginnings of the family pumpkin growing business. By fall season of 2000, the Walden Pumpkin Farm opened to the public. School tours were soon booked, and the accidental pumpkin farm was becoming a profitable business.

Definitely more than just a pumpkin farm, Walden offers many different activities including hayrides, “harvest-your-own’ pumpkins, farm animal petting area, and farm tours. There is no admission charge but pumpkins, flowers, crafts, and refreshments are available for purchase.

After over a decade, the family business is thriving and always expanding with new ideas. Many families make Walden Pumpkin Farm an annual tradition and many classes make their field trips there creating special memories in a place where students can learn about life on a farm.

2010 SMALL FARMER OF THE YEAR

2008 SMALL FARMER OF THE YEAR

The event is sponsored by Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency.