TN.gov Newsroom

NASHVILLE – Plans for the Tennessee Forestry Commission, originally scheduled to meet Feb. 8 at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville, have changed. The commission will still meet on Feb. 8 but will convene instead at Legislative Plaza, located at 601 6th Avenue North in Nashville.

The commission will make its annual presentation on Tennessee’s forest resource and the Division of Forestry to the Senate Energy and Environment Committee at 8:30 a.m. and to the House Conservation and Environment Committee at 12:30 p.m.

NASHVILLE – Gov. Bill Haslam recently extended an executive order to allow haulers of hay to carry larger loads in their trucks as long as they observe safety requirements. The order is in response to drought and extreme weathers conditions in Texas and across the Southeast, which has left some farmers without access to hay for livestock.

“Last year was a tough year for farmers across the Southeast, and we want to be responsive to their needs,” Haslam said. “This order will continue to ensure that much needed hay can be shipped safely and without delay through Tennessee and along our major interstate corridors.”

Designation sought for four more counties

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced today U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has designated 14 counties natural disasters for agriculture as a result of drought and excessive heat in 2011.

Pick Tennessee Products Biscuit Recipe

NASHVILLE – Biscuits are the original fast food.

A convenience food back when there were no convenience foods, they’re best when made quickly. In fact, taking too much care and time with biscuit dough will leave biscuits flat and dry. The reason your grandmother made such terrific biscuits is that she simply didn’t have time to think about them; she just threw the ingredients into a bowl, mixed them as quickly as possible, and shoved them into the oven.

The result of such neglect was the fluffy, moist, versatile and quintessentially Southern biscuit we all crave. You can stick a piece of meat in one and call it breakfast. They are the natural dinner companions of steak, chicken, ham and of course gravy. A teaspoon of jelly turns one into dessert. Leftovers--if there are any--freeze well and can be toasted on some other cold morning.

Beef Referendum Tally

NASHVILLE – The results are in and Tennessee cattle producers have voted to increase the assessment they pay to support in-state promotions of beef announced state Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson.

“In today’s competitive market, it’s important for farmers to reassess their efforts in the marketplace and how they can best reach today’s consumer,” Johnson said. “I’m pleased to have authorized this referendum and to have provided an opportunity for producers to have a say in determining their business future.”