All posts by Heather Marie Kelly, Extension Plant Pathologist

Summer Internships in AgResearch and Extension

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Do you know a college student who is interested in science or agriculture, but needs more experience before starting their career? Tell them about the USDA-NIFA funded Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) Internship at the West TN AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson, TN. Continue reading


So, You Wanna Be a Hemp Farmer?

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Below are the presentations and handout given at the recent public forum on the essentials of growing hemp held at the West TN Research and Education Center on Jan. 14, 2020. Thanks to the Madison County UT Extension agent, Jake Mallard, and the West TN Chapter of the TN Hemp Industries Association for sponsoring the forum.

Preliminary Summary of 2019 UT Hemp Variety Trial Data – handout

Table Summary of UT 2019 Hemp Variety Trial Data – handout

Diseases, Insects, & Yields – What we saw in 2019 – presentation

Hemp Economics and Marketing – presentation


Upcoming Events

January 24, 2020 – Gibson County Extension Crop Production (Ed Jones Agri-plex) 8:00 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.  (Contact Philip Shelby for details)

January 30-31, 2020 – Cotton & Rice No-Till Conference (Memphis, TN)

February 3, 2020 – Henry County Extension Crop Production (Henry Co. Fairgrounds) 6 – 9 p.m. (Contact Ranson Goodman for details)

February 4, 2020 – Middle Tennessee Grain Conference (UT Space Institute in Tullahoma, TN)

February 6, 2020 – West Tennessee Grain and Soybean Conference (Dyer Co. Fairgounds, Dyersburg, TN)

February 7, 2020 – KY/TN Grain Conference (Russellville, KY)

February 11, 2020 – Haywood/Madison Extension Crop Production (Samuel T. Bryant Distillery, Jackson, TN) 9AM-12PM (Contact Jake Mallard or Lindsay Stephenson for details)

February 12, 2020 – Tennessee Agricultural Production Association Winter Agronomic Workshop (DoubleTree Hotel, Jackson, Tennessee) 8 AM – 4 PM

February 13, 2020 – Cotton Focus (West Tennessee Research and Education Center, Jackson, TN) 8 AM-12PM (lunch provided, pre-registration is not required)


Free soil testing for pathogenic nematodes in 2019 & results from 2018 samples

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Taking soil samples this fall? Why not send them for nematode screening? Take the test and beat the pest! Read on to learn how to take soil samples, the importance of soybean cyst nematode (SCN), and what 2018 soil samples revealed with regard to SCN. Continue reading