UT Produce

05/20/2026

Come out to UT's Organic Farm on June 18th from 9-12 for a Grow and Tell! Researchers and staff will highlight current work and practices in organic production. Preregister for this free event at tiny.utk.edu/GrowandTell

04/30/2026

Still searching for a summer job? Want hands-on experience with vegetable production, research, and field work? Join our UT Produce team! Email your application or any additional questions to Amanda at [email protected]. Edit- applications are now closed. Thank you.

04/22/2026

Please join us next Tuesday!

is exploring temperate agrofestry options for Tennessee, and we've got a test plot here on our farm. Come meet us and the UT ag folks here on the farm on Tuesday to talk about different options. Registration required by Saturday evening.
tiny.utk.edu/agroferestry

04/10/2026

Please join us for an on-farm workshop on April 28th from 4-6 PM Central on getting started with agroforestry on your farm in Fly, TN! Please pre-register by April 25 at: tiny.utk.edu/agroforestry

03/20/2026

The risk in this scenario is HIGH! And it's a triple threat! We are using pond or surface water that is open to the environment and overhead irrigation, which is sure to come in contact with the lettuce leaves! This migratory birds can cause feeding damage as well as field contamination with their f***s. Lastly, never stick your harvest knife in the ground! This can contaminate the knife and everything you cut with it thereafter!

03/18/2026

The birds are making their way back from the South! Do you think the risk in this scenario is low, medium or high? Comment below what you think the risk is and why, and how you might mitigate this risk, then come back on Friday to see if you were right! If you're not sure or you missed our introductory video on December 8, you can watch it first.

03/18/2026

REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED until tomorrow, Thursday, 3/19! Join us and our friends from VA Tech for a Virtual Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training next week- over two afternoons, March 25 & 26 from 1-5 PM Eastern each day. If you are a grower, packer, holder, or shipper who needs the training, sign up today! Visit our registration page to sign up or for more information on the requirements for the course: tiny.utk.edu/PSAMarch2026 But don't delay! If you are a TN grower, this course also satisfies part of the TAEP educational requirement for the Fruit and Vegetable Sector.

03/16/2026

We're teaming up with our friends at VA Tech to offer this course over two afternoons, March 25 & 26 from 1-5 PM Eastern each day. If you are a grower, packer, holder, or shipper who needs the training, sign up today!
Visit our registration page to sign up or for more information on the requirements for the course: tiny.utk.edu/PSAMarch2026
But don't delay! Registration closes TOMORROW, March 17! And that's no blarney!

03/06/2026

The risk in this scenario is medium. Since we're using drip irrigation under black plastic mulch, the water is unlikely to come in contact with the cucumbers. However, animal tracks let us know that deer were around, so we need to look more closely for s**t and grazing on the crop and avoid harvesting any produce that may be contaminated. Furthermore, the harvest bins should be kept off the ground to prevent cross-contamination with the soil. You could put the bins in a cart that you pull through the field, which will ease your load and prevent a food safety risk! Just make sure that you regularly clean the bins and the cart.

03/05/2026

We're teaming up with our friends at VA Tech to offer this course over two afternoons, March 25 & 26 from 1-5 PM Eastern each day. If you are a grower, packer, holder, or shipper who needs the training, sign up today!
Visit our registration page to sign up or for more information on the requirements for the course: tiny.utk.edu/PSAMarch2026
But don't delay! Registration closes March 17!