Program Overview
The University of Tennessee, in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, has launched a statewide organic agriculture initiative. The intent of this initiative is to involve more Tennessee farmers in organic production in order to increase farm income and to provide an alternative to keep the family farm in the family. Organic production has the potential to increase profits by reducing the use of off-farm inputs and providing consumers with locally-grown, high-quality organic products in a rapidly growing market where the demand is greater than the supply.
News & Announcements:
NEW! Check out these items recently added to the website:
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Local produce and products catch on across the Volunteer State. Click here for more information.
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Organic Growth Puts America's Universities to the Test. Click here for more information.
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2012 Organic Land Grant Assessment. Click here for more information.
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Organic food industry goes to college More classrooms, labs focusing on research, instruction Click here for more information.
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Become a fan of the Organic Crop Production Unit on Facebook, and get weekly updates on events and news!
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EQIP Organic Initiative Bulletin Published. Click here for more information.
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Searchable Database of Certified Organic Operations is Now Available. Click here to check it out.
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NRCS Announces FY 2012 CSP Sign Up. Click here for more information.
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To view more News and Announcements, Click Here.
Upcoming Events:
May 23 2012, Enhancing Habitats To Provide Multiple Ecosystem Services. Click here for more information.
May 30 2012, Establishing Beneficial Insect Habitat on Organic Farms. Click here for more information.
May 31 2012, Establishing Beneficial Insect Habitat on Organic Farms. Click here for more information.
UT Organic Farm Internship Program:
The internship program is 8-months long, January through August, with a 6-credit hour course requirement in the spring. Interns will register for PLSC 275: Organic & Sustainable Crop Production and PLSC 492: Plant Science Internship (inquire for details). In addition, interns get paid to work at the farm market garden at the Organic Crops Unit in the summer, and sell the produce at the weekly UT Harvest Market stand. Interns gain skills in business planning and management, vegetable and small fruit planning and production, and direct marketing. To learn more about the internship duties, click here. To download an application, click here. Email completed applications to mroger30@utk.edu.
Click here to follow the current interns' experiences on UT Organic Farm Internship Program's blog
Program Contact
Annette Wszelaki
Vegetable Specialist
Dept. of Plant Sciences
2431 Joe Johnson Drive
252 Ellington Plant Sciences Bldg.
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-8332
Fax: (865) 974-1947
Email: annettew@utk.edu
Find Your Local Expert
For specific questions related to organics in your county, please contact your county extension office. Click here for a directory.
Resource Links:
- ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
- Center for Profitable Agriculture
- eOrganic
- Organic Crops Unit
- Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE)
- TN Dept of Ag Organics
- USDA National Organic Program