Root of the Matter

Upper North East Tennessee is reeling from the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene. More than 30 inches of rain fell in Western North Carolina, sending massive amounts of water down river into East Tennessee and causing excessive flooding. People lost homes, bridges have been wiped out, crops are gone and much of the area is without water. Tennessee Farm Bureau field director for upper East Tennessee, Steven Huff, updates on conditions on the ground there, and Shelli Rampold with UT Extension discusses resources they’re offering to people impacted.

The beef industry is ever evolving from genetics to the latest technology and feeding practices. Beef cattle farmers are constantly trying to stay up to date on the latest industry practices to improve beef quality and to meet a growing demand for American beef. Those cutting-edge practices don’t just happen as it takes hours of research. That’s why the work that the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture does on their research farms across the state is so important. For the third year the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture held their Beef and Forage Field Day at the Middle Tennessee Ag Research and Education Center in Spring Hill, Tennessee to showcase the latest research projects in the beef industry for producers. We talked with several of the researchers there to find out about some of the latest advancements being discovered in the beef industry.

It’s no secret that each generation of Americans are becoming further removed from the farm. Because of that there is a lack of understanding about where our food comes from, and how it’s grown and produced. All of that is leading to growing misinformation and untrue things being spread about the food and agriculture industry. Ray Starling is trying to push back against that false information. Starling served in the Trump administration as an agriculture advisor, and as Chief of Staff to former US Secretary Of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. Now he’s a part of the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce and serves as an advisor to Aimpoint Research. In his new book, “Farmers Verses Foodies”, Starling describes the battle between insiders and outsiders of the food industry, and what people in the Ag industry can do to combat false information.

Circle S Farms in Wilson County, Tennessee has a rich legacy that dates back to the late 1800’s. Lily Steed is the eighth generation in her family to live and work on Circle S Farms. Lily explains how agritourism is something that’s allowed she and her Dad to continue the farm that her ancestors started decades ago, and how it’s helping educate the next generation about agriculture.

Tourists have traveled to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for years to take in the beauty of the East Tennessee mountains, and to possibly get a sight of a black bear and her cubs. Recently though black bears have been seen outside of their native region of the state, but rather in Middle Tennessee. Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency Black Bear Program Leader, Dan Gibbs, explains why we’re seeing black bears outside of their typical habitat, and what you should do if you encounter one in your neighborhood. For more information about how to handle encounters with black bears visit bearwise.org.

It’s no secret that Americans overall are not the healthiest. In fact studies show that Americans spend nearly two trillion dollars in healthcare due to poor nutrition. On this episode of Root of The Matter Kelsey Barnes with the Food Journal Foundation dives into a new idea called food is health. It’s the idea that consuming fresh, local, healthy foods can prevent chronic disease. Barnes explains why she believes this idea is here to stay, and how farmers can take advantage of it to further diversify their operation and and be more profitable.

The Farmer’s Almanac has been forecasting the weather since its inception in 1792. Sandi Duncan is the current editor of the Farmer’s Almanac, and gives us their projections for this coming winter and the rest of 2025.

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall recently came to the Volunteer State to address farmers at the Tennessee Farm Bureau Presidents Conference. Lee Maddox caught up with Duvall after where they discussed how powerful advocacy at the county farm bureau level is powerful, and how Duvall is hopeful a new farm bill still might get passed before the end of the year.

George McDonald of Catesa Farms is the 2024 Tennessee Farmer of the Year. George farms more than 9,000 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, milo, hay, watermelons and strawberries. As farmer of the year, George will represent Tennessee and compete on the national stage in Moultrie, Georgia at the Sunbelt Ag Expo this fall. On this episode of Root of the Matter, George talks about what it means to him to be selected for this award and details his operation.

Tracy & Katie Robinson of Franklin County are the 2024 Tennessee Young Farmers of The Year! They were named Young Farmers of The Year at the 2024 Tennessee Young Farmers and Ranchers Summer Conference. Lee Maddox caught up with the Robinson’s right after they were named state winners to hear what it means to them to win this big award.