UT AgResearch Announces 2015 Field Day Schedule

posted by: Sheldon Barker

University of Tennessee AgResearch has released the 2015 field day schedule, which includes 11 field days and five special events.

Field days are held at the 10 AgResearch and Education Centers located throughout the state.  These events offer farmers, ranchers, gardeners and the general public a chance to see research findings, learn from university and industry experts and network with peers.

The 2015 schedule includes a new event titled “Ag in the Foothills.”  To be held at the East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center near Knoxville, Ag in the Foothills will become a biennial event held in odd-numbered years.  As the name implies, the program will reflect the diversity of agriculture in the region and include topics like dairy and beef production, environmental management and other timely issues.
 

The complete schedule is as follows:

Field Days

• Tennessee Healthy Hardwoods – April 25, Forest Resources AgResearch Center - Highland Rim Forest (Tullahoma)
• Fruits of the Backyard – June 16, Middle Tennessee AgResearch Center (Spring Hill)
• Tobacco, Beef & More – June 25, Highland Rim AgResearch Center (Springfield)
• Summer Celebration – July 9, West Tennessee AgResearch Center (Jackson)
• Steak and Potatoes – August 4, Plateau AgResearch Center (Crossville)
• Cotton Tour – September 2, West Tennessee AgResearch Center (Jackson)
• Turf and Ornamental – September 10, East Tennessee AgResearch Center – Plant Sciences Unit (Knoxville)
• Pumpkin – September 24, West Tennessee AgResearch Center (Jackson)
• Northeast Tennessee Beef Expo – October 8, AgResearch Center at Greeneville
• Woods and Wildlife – October 16, Forest Resources AgResearch Center – Highland Rim Forest (Tullahoma)
• Ag in the Foothills – October 22, East Tennessee AgResearch Center – Little River Unit (Walland)

Special Events

• Blooms Days – May 9-10, UT Gardens, Knoxville
• Summer Color (a green industry event) – June 23, UT Gardens, Knoxville
• Fall Gardeners’ Festival – August 25, Plateau AgResearch Center (Crossville)
• Heritage Festival – October 10, AgResearch Center at Ames Plantation (Grand Junction)
• Fall Folklore Jamboree – October 17, AgResearch Center at Milan

All UT AgResearch field days and special events are open to the public and most events offer free admission.
More information about each field day will be posted closer to the scheduled time at the UT Institute of Agriculture “News and Announcements” site found at http://ag.tennessee.edu. You can also visit each AgResearch Center’s homepage or call their main offices for details. Center addresses and phone numbers can be found at http://taes.tennessee.edu/centers.

UT AgResearch, a unit of the UT Institute of Agriculture, operates 10 outdoor laboratories at strategic climate and topographical locations throughout the state.  In addition to its agricultural research programs, the UT Institute of Agriculture also provides instruction, research and public service through the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine and UT Extension offices in every county in the state.

SEQUATCHIE COUNTY 4-H FORESTRY JUDGING TEAMS COMPETE AT REGION

Sheldon Barker

The Sequatchie County 4-H Forestry Judging Teams recently competed at the Central Region contest held at the Cedars of Lebanon State Park.  Three teams and two individuals competed from Sequatchie County. The senior team of Bailey Scott, Donnie Briggs, Deston Hobbs and Zach Scott won the regional contest and will be advancing to the State contest to be held October 18 in Knoxville. Senior individuals competing at the regional contest were Isaac Lloyd and Faith Merryfield. The Junior High Team of Taylor Scott, Shelley Griffith, Josh Griffith and Eli Hale was first overall in their division. The Junior team of Casey Scott, Gideon Lloyd and Daniel Scott placed second overall.

Individuals recognized were Zach Scott high individual senior division, Donnie Briggs third high individual senior division, Bailey Scott sixth high individual senior division, Deston Hobbs ninth high individual, and Isaac Lloyd tenth high individual senior. In the junior division, Gideon Lloyd was second high individual and Casey Scott third high individual. Taylor Scott was the high individual scorer in the junior-high, Shelley Griffith third high individual, Josh Griffith fifth high individual, and Eli Hale eighth high individual.

4-H members compete in several areas including Tree identification, insect and disease identification, tree measurement, wood identification, and compass and pacing.   

Contact
Sheldon D. Barker
Extension Agent UT Extension – Sequatchie Count

423-949-2611 or sdbarker@utk.edu

 

A Fall Fashion Show

Trees prepare for their annual fashion show

Factors influencing fall leaf color

Article by Dr. Wayne Clatterbuck, UT Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries,  and Dr. Kevin Hoyt, UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center

Posted by Sheldon Barker

The outstanding fall color is wonderful to behold from a bench along a trail at the UT Arboretum. Photo by R. Evans, courtesy UTIA.

New York, Paris and Milan all have their fashion weeks scheduled to the minute months in advance, but the annual fashion week for Tennessee forests can be much less predictable. 

Everyone wants to know when will be the best time to view autumn’s big show, but leaf color predictions can be quite tricky says Wayne Clatterbuck, professor of forest management in the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. 

“Environmental factors that influence leaf color are hard to predict, so just when the the colors will peak is an annual mystery,” Clatterbuck said. “Most of the factors that influence leaf color are related to weather conditions prior to and during the leaf color change. Specific weather conditions are difficult to forecast in advance.”

But certain fall characteristics can be counted on, Clatterbuck admits. “Changing leaf color is triggered by the shorter days of sunlight - called the photoperiod - which is constant from year to year, then influenced by temperature and moisture,” he said.  In general, Clatterbuck says these weather conditions generally yield specific results:

• Warm, dry weather with extended droughts or moisture deficits

Fall color that is not as vibrant, is short lived (a week or so) and the timing can be delayed a week or more.

• Cool nights and warm days

Cool nights with temperatures in the 40s and low 50s (but not freezing) with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s tend to retain leaf color longer, and the colors are more pronounced, especially if the days are sunny.

• Sunny days vs. overcast days

Sunny days create more vibrant leaf color. Several rainy or overcast days in a row when leaves are turning color will cause them to be more dull.

• Adequate moisture

A little rain will yield a longer period of leaf color.

• Freezing overnight temperatures and early frost

Flashy forest fashion will quickly fade. Leaves will turn brown and die.

The color of leaves changes first at the higher elevations where it is cooler, then progresses to the valleys at the lower elevations. Color in the mountains of East Tennessee usually begins during the second week of October and advances to the valleys and the Coastal Plain of West Tennessee by the end of October. It can even last into the first two weeks of November. Thus, leaf color can peak at various dates depending on your location in the state or region.

Are you looking for some more information on how to identify the trees by their leaves? Check out the simple online guide provided by the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center and Arboretum in Oak Ridge:  http://forestry.tennessee.edu/treeidleafsimple.htm 

The UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center is celebrating its 50^th year of service. If you want to check out the facility and fall color for yourself, visit UT Arboretum. There are walking trails that can be combined for hikes of various lengths. Most are very family friendly and interpretive signs describe points of interest along the way. There is no admission fee. Visit the Arboretum’s website for details: http://forestry.tennessee.edu/arboretum.htm

The UT Institute of Agriculture provides teaching, research and outreach through the colleges of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and Veterinary Medicine; UT AgResearch, including its system of 10 research and education centers; and UT Extension with offices in every Tennessee county.