Organic & Sustainable Crop Production | UT Vegetable Production

The purpose of the University of Tennessee Organic and Sustainable Crop Production Program 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.

Our mission is to lead, inspire, discover and advance organic and sustainable production locally and globally.

Organic Agriculture Educational Opportunities at UT

Undergraduate Degree with Organic Production Concentration

Graduate Degrees in Organic Production

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For specific questions related to organics in your county, please contact your county extension office.

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Program Contacts

Annette Wszelaki
Commercial Vegetable Specialist Associate Professor
Dept. of Plant Sciences
2431 Joe Johnson Drive
252 Ellington Plant Sciences Bldg.
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-8332
Fax: (865) 974-1947

David Butler
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Plant Sciences
2431 Joe Johnson Drive
252 Ellington Plant Sciences Bldg.
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: (865) 974-7165
Fax: (865) 974-1947

Over $17 Million in Funds Available for New Farmer Training Projects
Effects of Anaerobic Soil Disinfection in Tomatoes
USDA reports that certified organic operations are up 12%.
To learn how cover crops can support a thriving community of pollinators and beneficial insects—which in turn can improve crop quality and yield—check out SARE’s new 16-page publication, Cover Cropping for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects.
Need help deciding which microbial-based products to use? Check out this database designed to help you from Ohio State University
Congratulations to Dr. David Butler and UTIA/University of KY team on their new USDA grant to study organic forage production for dairy herds.
Great new info on Beneficial Insects on the National Pesticide Information Center’s website.
“Weeds Your Way” – Organic farmers share secrets of herbicide-free farming and Organic seed production offers profit potential.
Grow More, Give More was featured in the Knoxville Mercury newspaper. New crop production guide aimed at helping farmers tap growing organic markets.
Grafting research could rescue state’s watermelon crop.
Organic Farming Found to Support Diversity of Beneficial Insects.
Organic Farming Boom Stretches Certification System.
Organic Goodness from a Southern Family Farm.
USDA Announces Growth of U.S. Organic Industry and Additional USDA Support Available with New Farm Bill.
The Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) has launched Organic Seed Finder, a free online tool for those looking to source certified organic seed.
Searchable Database of Certified Organic Operations is Now Available.
Organic Management of Spotted Wing Drosophilia – July 29, 2016
Effects of Anaerobic Soil Disinfection in Tomatoes – July 7, 2016
Bees Exposed to Fungicide more Vunerable to Nosema Parasite – July 24, 2013
UT, NCSU Research Looks for Organic-Friendly Wash Solution – March 6, 2013
Strip Tillage, Cover Crops Out-perform Conventional Tillage – February 11, 2013

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