UT Vegetable Production Program

The Vegetable Extension program focuses on providing innovations in production practices, aiding in cultivar selection, developing alternative crops, maximizing crop nutrition and flavor, and reducing the use of off-farm inputs, such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides, for Tennessee growers through research and education throughout the state.

Upcoming Events:

Fruit and Vegetable Workshop, January 23, 2015, Nashville, TN. Click here for more information.

Are You Ready to Start a CSA?: Choosing Your Crops and Varieties, and Scheduling Their Planting in the Greenhouse and the Field, January 26, 2015, Spring City, TN. Click here for more information.

GAPs On-line Produce Safety Course, February 4-24, 2015, On-line. Click here for more information.

Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Annual Conference, February 6-7, 2015, Opelika, AL. Click here for more information.

Are You Ready to Start a CSA?: Options for CSA Legal Structure and Analyzing CSA Profitability, February 9, 2015, Toone, TN. Click here for more information.

Mississippi Greenhouse Tomato Short Course, March 3 & 4, 2015, Raymond, MS. Click here for more information.

GAPs On-line Produce Safety Course, March 4-24, 2015, On-line. Click here for more information.

Are You Ready to Start a CSA?: Managing Growth of Your CSA, Labor Management, Apprenticeship Programs and Quality of Life, March 16, 2015, Joelton, TN. Click here for more information.

GAPs On-line Produce Safety Course, April 8-28, 2015, On-line. Click here for more information.

Are You Ready to Start a CSA?: Adding Fruit Crops to Your CSA, April 13, 2015, Heiskell, TN. Click here for more information.

GAPs On-line Produce Safety Course, May 6-26, 2015, On-line. Click here for more information.

Are You Ready to Start a CSA?: Choosing Equipment for a Small, Diversified Farm, May 11, 2015, New Tazewell, TN. Click here for more information.

Are You Ready to Start a CSA?: Marketing Your CSA and Keeping Your Customers Happy, June 15, 2015, Grimsley, TN. Click here for more information.

GAPs On-line Produce Safety Course, July 15-August 4, 2015, On-line. Click here for more information.

GAPs On-line Produce Safety Course, October 7-27, 2015, On-line. Click here for more information.

GAPs On-line Produce Safety Course, November 4-24, 2015, On-line. Click here for more information.

News & Announcements

• September 26, 2014. FDA rules improving but still flawed. Click here to read the full article.
• December 20, 2013. UT Researchers Show LED Lights Have Healthy Impact on Vegetables, Herbs. Click here to read full article.
• August 2, 2013. UT Farmers Market proves steady wholesale for locals. Click here to read the full article.
• July 24, 2013. Knoxvillians are Being Swept Away by the Joy of Heirloom Tomatoes. Click here to read the entire Metro Pulse article.
• July 2013: Late Blight Developing in the Eastern U.S.; appearing earlier than its name implies. Click here for the full article.
• UT launches the 2013 Crop Production Workshop Series! This is a 7-part, monthly workshop series starting in July and running through December. Click here for more information.
• California Forces Grower to Destroy Crop for Illegal Pesticide Use. Santa Cruz County grower to pay $15,000 Fine; $200,000 worth of strawberries destroyed. Click here to read the full article.

• Old disease continues assualt on Georgia melons. Fusarium wilt, a soilborne enemy to watermelons is starting to take its toll on seedless watermelon production in Georgia. Click here to read full article.
• June 2013, Late Blight Found in Tennessee. Late blight has been found on tomato plants in a garden in Dickson Co. For more information, click here.
• NEW UT Publications on Off-target Herbicides and Tomato. Click here for information on preventing off-target problems. Click here for information on diagnosing off-target problems.
• 2013 Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Production Guide NOW AVAILABLE ON-LINE. Click here to download.
• FDA’s Draft “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption” has been released. Click here for more information.
• Testing Water for Fruit and Vegetable Production. Click here for more information.
• Interpreting Water Quality Test Results for Fruit and Vegetable Production. Click here for more information.
• Bidders vie for locally-grown goods at Plowboy Produce Auction, LLC. Click here for more information.
• Knox area farmers' markets face mixed regulation. Click here for more information.
• Container Gardening Presentation from MTREC Fruits of the Backyard Field Day. Click here for more information.
• California cantaloupe board adopts food safety guidance. Click here for more information.
• TN tomato farmers hope for cooler temperatures. Click here for more information.
• Cantaloupe grower tied to outbreak declares bankruptcy. Click here for more information.
• Listeria Scare Prompts Salad Recall. Click here for more information.
• Local produce and products catch on across the Volunteer State. Click here for more information.
• Virtual farmers market to serve Knoxville area. Click here for more information.
• USDA Announces Farm to School Grant Program. Click here for more information.
• UT Farmers Market - Click here for more information.
• Are Local Salad Greens Safer Than Packaged Salad Greens? Click here for more information.
• Your Salad: A Search For Where The Wild Things Were. Click here for more information.
• Cantaloupe Food Safety Tool Launched. Click here for more information.
• Dow, Monsanto Herbicide-Tolerant Crops Need U.S. Study. Click here for more information.
• Dole recalls bagged salad in 15 states for salmonella. Click here for more information.
• USDA Unveils Know Your Farmer Know Your Food Compass. Click here for more information.
• Follow News and Updates about the UT Farmer's Market on Facebook by clicking here.

Vegetable Questions?

For questions related to vegetable production in your area, please contact your county Extension Office.

To contact your local vegetable expert, click here.