Tennessee Farmers Cooperative’S Headquarters in Lavergne, Co-Op Products Are Being Put to Harvest a Basketful of Apple Recipes

October-November 2013

Complete turnaround Record corn harvest results from more favorable conditions than 2012

Also inside Fall agritourism operations gear up for family fun - p. 16

‘Cowboy-style’ golf course is fun alternative to the regular game - p. 24 SPECIAL HARVEST ISSUE

Co-op event gives outdoor enthusiasts a chance to hear from hunting icon - p. 30

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contents October-November 2013 Cover Story

Complete turnaround 5 Though it started out with a wet, cool spring, the 2013 growing season turned out to be almost ideal for producing high-yielding row crops in stark contrast to last summer’s heat and drought. Corn has fared especially well and is expected to be a record crop for Tennessee at a state average of 152 bushels per acre. These large, full ears of Croplan corn on the Duren farm in Wayne County indicate just how well the brand’s hybrids in particular performed.

ON THE COVER: White County Farmers Cooperative members, from left, Wayne, Mark, and Matt Davis have seen some of the best corn yields ever on their Sparta farm, thanks in part to the Croplan hybrids they planted. — Photos by Allison Morgan News and features

Diversity and adversity 24 10 Chad and Marty Koop pursue varied ventures to raise their family in an agricultural lifestyle. ‘Something for everyone’ 16 Tennessee’s agritourism operations offer wide range of activities for fall family fun.

Country club 24 “Cowboy golf” on the farm of Brent Maher is the latest hit for the renowned record producer. ‘Like a big family reunion’ 30 Outdoor enthusiasts pack Montgomery Farmers Cooperative Sportsman’s Extravaganza.

From one to wonderful 36 John Plummer and family earn national accolades for their Toggenburg goats and Jersey cattle.

‘Butterflies Are Free’ 36 38 One-of-a-kind display is among the attractions at Music & Molasses Festival Oct. 19-20. TenneScene In every issue 4 As I Was Saying Jerry Kirk enjoys a colorful light display every night in his own backyard. 4 Our Country Churches Gladdice Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson County. 20 New at Co-op Learn about four new products available at your hometown store. 21 Neighborly Advice Tree stand safety, preparing horses for cool weather, proper soil-testing methods. 42 What’s Cookin’?

At Tennessee Farmers Cooperative’s headquarters in LaVergne, Co-op products are being put to Harvest a basketful of apple recipes. the test! Forage breeders from FFR Cooperative brought their equipment and expertise down to Tennessee in mid-September to plant a sample plot of forages, including Co-op’s own Allied Seed 46 Every Farmer Has a Story Farm Science Genetics brand. With this plot literally in TFC’s front yard, it will be a great way to watch the performance and characteristics of the different forages. —Photo by Travis Merriman Meet Wayne County’s Tom and Regina Tesnow, who are devoted to Devon cattle.

October-November 2013 3 As I Was Saying

October-November 2013 Volume 54, Number 10 Lights show off every night at our house Published by Tennessee Farmers Cooperative in the interest of better aybe you remember my writing a couple of months ago about the single farming through cooperation and improved technology, and to connect the Co-op showy sunflower that popped up in a special bird-feeding area of our community through shared experiences, Mbackyard this summer. That good-sized space between our screened-in common values, and rural heritage. porch and carport is still one of our favorite spots, especially after the sun goes Editor: Allison Morgan down. As dusk gives way to darkness and the birds head off to roost, we can sit [email protected] Communications Specialist: Chris Villines on our porch and watch 19 long-stemmed, solar-powered pieces of garden art [email protected] flicker to life, usually one at a time. It’s quite a show. With each of the lights Communications Specialist: Sarah Geyer rotating through a three-stage program, the flickering, rhythmic blending of [email protected] Jerry Kirk colors and motion is mesmerizing. It’s hard even to look away. Contributing Editor: Jerry Kirk Each light is topped by a colorful, sometimes whimsical globe and has its own [email protected] Contributing Editor Senior Graphic Designer: Shane Read little solar panel for storing the energy needed to make it work. Because our [email protected] lights get full sun much of the day, we have relatively good luck keeping them burning. Wife Jane’s Graphic Designer: Jason Barns persistence in positioning the solar panels so they can soak up the sun and changing batteries and [email protected] Layout & Production Coordinator: bulbs as needed has a lot to do with that success. Travis Merriman We credit our 3-year-old granddaughter, Sloan, [email protected] with getting us started on what’s now our colorful Editorial Assistant: Polly Campbell [email protected] backyard display. In celebrating her first Christmas Advertising Information: Keith Harrison back in 2010, Sloan gave me a single solar light that 615-793-8585, [email protected] twinkles and shines in alternating colors: blue, green, The Tennessee Cooperator is distributed free to patrons of member Co-ops. Since and red. The light’s multi-color shade enhances the each Co-op maintains its own mailing list, effect. Neither Jane nor I had seen anything like requests for subscriptions must be made through the local Co-op. When my gift light, and from the time we stuck it in the reporting an address change, please ground and saw how it operated, we were hooked. include the mailing label from a past issue and send to the following address: With Jane doing most of the looking and buy- A trio of pink flamingos rule the roost in the Kirks’ colorful Tennessee Cooperator ing, we’ve assembled our collection. Sloan’s light, display of solar-powered garden art. — Photo by Jane Kirk P.O. Box 3003 LaVergne, TN 37086 though, remains our star attraction. Phone: (615) 793-8339 While we’re proud of our colorful display, it’s nothing — not even a twinkle in the night — com- E-mail: [email protected] pared to a massive exhibition of lights to which area folks are flocking at Nashville’s landmark Cheek- Guest Subscriptions: Guest subscriptions are available for wood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art. Installed by acclaimed British artist Bruce Munro and $12.95 per year by sending a check running through Sunday evening, Nov. 10, the massive outdoor exhibit features 20,000 lighted glass or money order to Tennessee Farmers spheres, each mounted on a slender stem. Because it has proven so popular, extra hours have been Cooperative at the above address. added to the event’s evening schedule. TFC’s website: www.ourcoop.com Most assuredly, seeing “LIGHT: Bruce Munro at Cheekwood” is a priority for me. If you and Follow our social media sites: www.facebook.com/ your family are interested, here’s the schedule as released by Cheekwood: Tuesday evenings, TennesseeFarmersCooperative Oct. 15 and 29, and each Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evening through Nov. 10. As a grand www.twitter.com/TNFarmers finale, the elaborate exhibition will be open every night during its closing week, Sunday, Nov. 3, www.pinterest.com/tnfarmers www.youtube.com/ through Sunday, Nov. 10. Each showing runs from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., and the museum suggests TnFarmersCooperative purchasing tickets online at cheekwood.org. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and TFC Board of Directors: over, and $8 for children and youth ages 3-17 (children 2 and under are admitted free). Parking is Chairman — Donald Jernigan, $3. For additional information, call 615-356-8000 or visit cheekwood.org. Christiana, Zone 2 Enjoy. Vice Chairman — Kenneth Nixon, Carthage, Zone 2 Larry Paul Harris, Wildersville, Zone 1 Amos Huey, Kenton, Zone 1 Richard Jameson, Brownsville, Zone 1 Clint Callicott, Only, Zone 2 Our Country Churches Johnny Brady, Riceville, Zone 3 David Sarten, Sevierville, Zone 3 George Smartt, McMinnville, Zone 3 Gladdice Missionary Baptist Church Chief Executive Officer — Bart Krisle NOTICE: This publication is for in Jackson County informational purposes only. Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, its affiliates, Gladdice Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson subsidiaries, and member Co-ops are not responsible for any damages or claims County began with seven members holding worship that may result from a reader’s use of this services in a schoolhouse on Nov. 5, 1894. Its original information, including but not limited to actual, punitive, consequential, or economic name was Smith’s Chapel, which was changed in 1902 damages. Tennessee Farmers Cooperative to reflect the name of the Gladdice Community. In makes no warranties or representations, either express or implied, including warranties of 1931, a new church was built at the same location on merchantability or fitness of any product/ Salt Lick Creek. In 1973, due to flooding, the church material for a particular purpose. Each article, document, advertisement, or other relocated to 120 Salt Lick Creek Road. Sunday School information is provided “AS IS” and without warranty of any kind. Tennessee Farmers is held at 10 a.m. with worship at 11 a.m. each Sunday, Cooperative reserves the right to alter, with a visiting preacher’s service at 5 p.m. the first Sun- correct, or otherwise change any part or 222nd in a series to show where our rural portion of this publication, including articles day of each month. — Submitted by Patricia Graham Co-op friends worship and advertisements, without detriment to Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, its affiliates, Would you like to see your church featured here? Just send us a description and photo, and we will consider it for publication in a subsidiaries, or member cooperatives. future issue. Submit entries to: Our Country Churches, Tennessee Cooperator, P.O. Box 3003, LaVergne, TN 37086. You can also e-mail the information and a high-resolution photo to [email protected].

4 October-November 2013 Complete turnaround Record corn harvest results from more favorable conditions than 2012 Story and photos by Allison Morgan, Sarah Geyer, and Chris Villines

griculture is always unpredictable, but most row-crop farmers would never have guessed just how much of a A turnaround they would experience from 2012 to 2013. Consider these differences in corn production alone: 2012 — Earliest planting in recent memory. 2013 — Planting about two weeks behind. 2012 — Record heat and extreme drought. 2013 — Below-normal temperatures and above-average rain. 2012 — Fastest harvest on record. 2013 — Harvest well behind the five-year average. Corn growers across the region, like Sevierville’s Max Lindsey, are experiencing far 2012 — Lowest average yields in 20 years for Tennessee growers: better results from this year’s harvest as compared to 2012. Crops received ample 85 bushels per acre. amounts of rain and less oppressive heat to help yields rise significantly. 2013 — Record yields expected at an average of 152 bushels Nationally, growers are expected to produce a record-high 13.8 per acre, breaking the all-time-high of 148 in 2009. billion bushels of corn this year, according to a September re- In other words, the two seasons were nearly total opposites. port by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s a 28-percent Main challenges for the 2013 season were cool, wet conditions that increase from drought-hit 2012. In Tennessee, overall production delayed planting and put harvest behind schedule, but even those is also expected to be up dramatically — from 81.6 million bush- factors didn’t negatively affect corn yields, says Keith Saum, West els in 2012 to 133.7 million bushels in 2013. A total of 880,000 Tennessee seed and agronomy adviser for WinField, the parent acres of corn are estimated to be harvested in the state. company of Co-op’s Croplan brand of seed. While Mother Nature can certainly take credit for improving “In a normal summer, a late crop like this would probably have the outlook for corn growers this year, those who plant Croplan struggled, but the weather this year allowed us to get by with hybrids from WinField insist that wise seed selection played a things we normally couldn’t do,” says Keith. “We still have a long critical role in the success of their crop. Beginning on page 6, way to go with harvest, and there may be a few disappointments hear from five different farmers from across Tennessee who are here and there, but for the most part, everyone is going to be tick- firm believers in the Croplan brand. led. We’re going to have a huge crop.” (See Corn, page 6) News briefs Beef Expo set Oct. 10 in Greeneville The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture will host the Northeast Tennessee Beef Expo at the UT AgResearch and Education Center in Greeneville on Thursday, Oct. 10, with numerous educational seminars and a trade show. UT experts will speak on topics of interest to beef cattle producers including breeding seasons, effective health program strategies, replacement heifer development, and marketing al- ternatives. University of Kentucky guest speaker Jeffrey Lehm- kuhler will address the topic of feeding cattle for less. Registration and a trade show will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 8:30. The cost is $10 if preregistered and $15 the day of the event. That fee includes lunch. For more information, contact your Extension office or Milton Orr, Extension director for Greene County, at 423-789-1710. ‘Season of Wonders’ is Nov. 21 When Rutherford County FCE (Family Consumer Educa- tion) Clubs stage their annual “Season of Wonders” on Thurs- day, Nov. 21, at Lane Agri Park in Murfreesboro, organizers say area women will get a head start on making this year’s holiday entertaining “spectacular.” The free event, to be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., will cover such topics as what’s new for the holidays, new recipes to serve, how to make your tables look amazing, and where to get that special gift. Attendees will learn how to make new crafts for gifts and home décor, shop for handmade items, and enjoy homemade Crock Pot lunch creations. For more information, call Pat Whitaker at 615-898-7710 or visit http://rutherford.tennessee.edu.

October-November 2013 5 Corn (continued from page 5)

Mark Davis isn’t sure he can trust what the yield monitor is showing as his brother, Matt, combines a field of Croplan 4164 corn on their family’s Sparta farm. They just bought the new Case IH 7130 machine last week, so the calibration really hasn’t been put to the test. But if it’s right, this section of the 72-acre field is making Planted with the earliest hybrid the Davis family has ever had on their Sparta farm, this field of Croplan 4164 is also providing the highest yields the Davises some of the best yields they’ve ever seen. The 102-day hybrid averaged 213 bushels per acre in this section of the field. have ever seen — averaging 213 bushels per acre.

Sparta l

“Let’s just check it while we’re here,” says Jack Chris- tian, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative agronomist who recommended this early-ma- turing Croplan hybrid to the growers. After doing a quick yield calculation using his grain LEFT: From left, Wayne Davis and his sons, Mark and Matt, plant Croplan hybrids religiously on their White County farm and have test weight scale, Jack’s manual seen consistent results from them every year. The White County Farmers Cooperative members farm around 2,200 acres in White method confirms what the ma- and Putnam counties. RIGHT: Tennessee Farmers Cooperative agronomist Jack Christian, left, and White County Farmers Co-op chine’s monitor recorded: 212 agronomist David Simmons, right, assist Mark and Wayne in estimating yield and moisture of the first corn they harvested. bushels per acre. and Liberty Link herbicide proprietary line of seed in 2008 On the other hand, Joey “We usually hope for 150 tolerance as well as multiple and say they don’t intend to admits, Mother Nature’s wet bushels per acre — around Bt genes that protect against change that habit any time soon. ways this spring and summer here, that’s pretty good,” says corn rootworm and earworm. “Croplan has been good for also helped the corn prosper. Mark, a director of White It also offers the convenience us,” says Mark, who reports He anticipates solid, consistent County Farmers Cooperative. of “refuge in a bag,” which that his 4164 ended up yield- results from the 6125, a 109- “I’m very pleased so far. With means growers don’t have to ing an overall average of 178 day hybrid excellent for shelling the new hybrids and the weath- worry about planting a separate bushels per acre. “The hybrids with high yield potential, top- er we had, it’s definitely been a percentage of non-Bt seed to are pretty adaptable and have notch disease and heat toler- good year.” meet Environmental Protec- done well on the soils we have. ance, strong silking, and good This was the first time Mark, tion Agency requirements. The We are happy with Croplan. We ear flex to handle a wide range Matt, and their father, Wayne, refuge protects against the keep buying it, anyway!” of populations and soil types. had planted this 102-day corn likelihood of developing insect As a VT Triple PRO® hybrid, that’s among the earliest hy- resistance to the Bt technology. Rutledge l it also offers dual modes of brids WinField recommends The Davises’ 420 acres of action with above- and below- for Southern farms. Jack says corn also included three other ground protection against pests he suggested 4164 because the Croplan hybrids — 6640, 6265, In Grainger County, the like corn earworm and fall ar- Davises were looking to spread and 6926 — which they expect- combines have just begun to myworm stacked with Roundup their risk with a shorter-season ed to harvest about two weeks churn on Joey Powell’s 200 Ready 2 technology. Plus, 6125 hybrid that could be harvested later with equally impressive re- acres of Croplan 6125. It’s a also has the same “refuge in a early enough to double-crop the sults. Because the Davises farm later harvest than usual, but bag” advantage as the 4164 on field with canola, which needs in a wide span across White and he’s not complaining. Well, the Davis farm. to be planted by October. Putnam counties, Jack says he maybe a little. “Last year, I put out 70 acres “You can plant the 4164 recommends hybrids that are “It was a challenge to get of Croplan 8221, and even first, harvest it first, and get it adaptable to most soil types in windows of time to plant be- though we hardly got any rain, it out of the way,” says Jack. “It their area. cause of all the rain,” says Joey, still averaged about 128 bush- has high yield potential with “I’d say we seek out stress who alternates between this els,” Joey says. “I wasn’t able to good stress tolerance, but it will tolerance first and then yield leased property and his family’s get the 8221 this year, so we also perform in better condi- potential,” says Jack. “With beef cattle and hay operation went with the 6125, and it shot tions like we’ve had this year. dry-land corn and our weather, in Seneca, S.C. “By the time right up. Through the end of Au- It also has good dry-down, so it you never know what’s going to we’d get the ground worked up gust, this corn had at least a little will get ready quick.” happen. Overall, we just try to and dry, it would rain again. bit of rain on it nearly every day. Plus, Jack adds, Croplan get the most per acre.” We had three tractors out We’ll get around 160 bushels per 4164 is a new SmartStax® The Davises have been plant- there plowing, just trying to get acre this year, I’m confident. ” hybrid loaded with traits that ing Croplan hybrids since Co-op the ground ready so we could Along with plenty of precipi- include Roundup Ready 2 began offering the brand as its plant.” tation, Joey’s corn also benefited

6 October-November 2013 traits and Max’s careful attention to detail, he isn’t surprised by the outstanding yields of the 6640, which also offers the VT Triple PRO® and “refuge in a bag” technology. “Max does a great job of taking care of his corn, so I knew he would grow the 6640 to its full potential,” Sidney says. “It handles both heat and moisture stress, has good crown roots and solid stalks, and is excellent for shelling. You won’t see LEFT: Farm employee Kendall Rowland, second from left, holds a sample of the sizable ears of Croplan 6125 produced on grower Joey Powell’s 200-acre crop in Rutledge. Looking on with Kendall are, from left, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative a better-looking crop than what agronomy specialist Tom Bible, Grainger Farmers Cooperative assistant manager Burl Matthews, Joey, and farm employee Max has produced.” Timothy Stalins. RIGHT: Joey is “confident” that his Croplan hybrid will yield close to 160 bushels per acre. To help his corn exceed from the farm’s rich soil profile, last crop, he feels good knowing during its debut at WinField expectations, Max took a according to Burl Matthews, he can confidently recommend Answer Plot trials last year. comprehensive approach from assistant manager of Grainger Croplan to other corn growers. “I’d say we’ve gotten between the start. He admits he “went Farmers Cooperative, where “I’ve been really satisfied 75 and 80 inches of rain since above what a lot of people do Joey purchases his seed, crop in- with it,” he says. “The 6125 I planted,” says Max, who, in on fertilization,” applying extra puts, and feed for his 300-head didn’t dry down as quick as it addition to his own operation, nitrogen along with SFP fertil- red Angus herd. A good chunk normally would, but with all serves as farm manager for izer enhancer Avail and nitrogen of his crop acreage is land that the rain that’s to be expected. Sevierville-based Blalock Com- fertilizer manager NutriSphere- for many years was a dairy. The bottom line is that the panies. “It’s just been unreal.” N. Also, when the crop was “Over time, a lot of ma- corn’s done well.” While he expected good re- about 10 inches tall, he applied nure and organic matter was sults based on the weather, Max a mix of Roundup, Atrazine, and put on that soil,” says Burl, Sevierville l still says he’s been “amazed” by WinField herbicide Framework. who has worked closely with the over-the-top performance “My theory is to tend to the Joey throughout the growing of the 6640, which he and son corn from the time it’s put in season. “We’ve done tissue The rain also fell at just the Todd harvested in early Septem- the ground until it’s ready to samples, and it always amazes right times in just the right ber with an average yield of 252 shell,” says Max. “You’ve got me what they show.” amounts for Sevierville’s Max bushels per acre. to put the effort into it. I can’t Joey admits that after this Lindsey, who grew 25 acres of “Here’s how good it’s been,” control the weather, but I can harvest, he may pour all of his Croplan 6640, a hybrid that he explains. “On the first field control what I do to help my future time and energy into his placed first for yield in the we cut, it took eight rows corn.” beef cattle business. If it is his South and fourth nationally to make an acre … well, we Adding that he’s been grow- got three-fourths of the way ing Croplan soybeans for sev- through just four rows and had eral years, Max says now that a bin full, and our combine he’s experienced back-to-back holds 105 bushels. That’s never good results with Croplan corn, happened before.” he sees another long relation- Moisture tests performed ship in the works. during the corn’s late growth “I’ve never had anything like stages helped give Max a hint of this Croplan corn,” he says. what was to come. At a moisture “It’s been tremendous.” rate of 16 percent, the 6640 produced a hefty test weight of Waynesboro 59.9 pounds per bushel. l “A good average is 56 pounds,” says Max, who grew From nearly nothing to more Croplan 7505 and 6425 on the than 2,200 acres — that’s how Sevierville farmer Max Lindsey has high praise for the 25 acres of Croplan 6640 same acreage last year. “That’s much the Duren family’s row- corn he planted this year. His crop averaged 252 bushels per acre. money in your pocket right crop operation has grown over there.” the past five years, all thanks to Foothills Farmers Coopera- the ambitions of a teenager. tive agronomist Sidney Jessee With his eyes set on an recommended this hybrid to agricultural career after high Max after seeing it thrive in hot school, Nathan Duren con- conditions last year at Win- vinced his father, Michael, Field’s Answer Plot in Man- and grandfather, David, that chester, one of several such they should once again grow sites in this region that provide crops, which the family had local crop research and demon- phased out after a few tough strations and serve as an agro- weather years. With Nathan’s nomic classroom for the Co-op encouragement, in 2008 they LEFT: Max discusses the characteristics of the Croplan corn with Foothills Farmers system. Sidney says that given Cooperative outside salesman Sidney Jessee. RIGHT: Plentiful rains and a cooler summer helped Max’s Croplan 6640 produce full, healthy ears like these. the combination of the hybrid’s (See Corn, page 8)

October-November 2013 7 As of press time, the Du- the best so far, even in the dry rens had only harvested a field years.” of Croplan 6125, which was Jared and his farming part- averaging 170 bushels per ners grew 625 acres of non-irri- acre on what Michael admit- gated corn this year along with ted was some of their “tough- soybeans, wheat, and cotton on est ground.” a total of 1,500 acres. Neigh- “We consider 130 bushels boring farmer John Marsh has good in this field, so those are recently joined the group after awesome results,” says Andy. James became seriously ill. “They haven’t even gotten into While their harvest had their better corn yet — the barely gotten under way in mid- 6640 and 6960 — which should September, these Mid-South make well above 200. So I think Farmers Cooperative members the best is yet to come.” were already seeing impressive yield results that strengthened their belief in Croplan corn. l Mercer “This is one of the best crops we’ve had in a long time,” says For Madison County’s Jared Jared. “We’re getting close to King, there’s little doubt that 200 bushels per acre and will TFC agronomist Andy Ulmer, third from left, discusses the performance of this field of Croplan 6125 with, from left, Nathan, David, and Michael Duren. Croplan seed will have a promi- probably average between the nent place in his crop plans 170 and 180 range.” “Croplan seems to have every year. Acknowledging that timely something that suits the land Eight years ago, when he rains throughout the season we have, no matter where it is became the third party in a contributed to these numbers, or what it’s like,” says Michael, successful farming partnership Jared says the overabundance mentioning that the family formed by friends Dennis Col- of spring rains also created farms in a wide area across lins and James Fletcher, the pair challenging planting conditions Wayne County and into Hardin had long been established with that threatened their crop from County. “We’ve really had good Co-op’s proprietary FFR brand the start. In overcoming these luck with them all along.” and hosted test plots on their obstacles, Jared credits the That success is not really farms every year. That tradition use of WinField’s Ascend plant luck but a strategic selection continued when Co-op transi- growth regulator, which is de- of the right hybrid for the right tioned to the Croplan line of signed to accelerate leaf, stem, conditions, says Andy Ulmer, seed a few years TFC agronomist who works later. with the Durens to help them “We’ve got four in making their seed choices Croplan hybrids A 2012 graduate of Wayne County High each season. In fact, WinField this year, and School, Nathan farms full time with his calls it the “R7 Placement they’re 90 per- father, Michael, and grandfather, David, ® who collectively grow 2,200 acres of row Strategy ,” referring to the cent of what we crops in Wayne and Hardin counties. right combination of genetics, plant,” says Jared. soil type, population, cropping “We throw a little Corn system, traits, nutrition, and bit of the com- (continued from page 7) crop protection. petitor’s seed in started raising corn, soybeans, “It’s all about placing the hy- there just to have brid where it needs to go,” says a comparison. Favorable growing conditions helped produce large, full ears and wheat in addition to their like this one pulled from a Mercer field by grower Dennis stocker cattle. As a result, Andy. “We look at how they Croplan has been Collins, who farms with partners John Marsh and Jared King. Nathan, who graduated from manage fertility, the soil type, Wayne County High School in planting date, yield goals, crop 2012, is now realizing his dream rotation — all those types of of farming full time. things — and then match the “We’ve been increasing our seed accordingly.” acreage every year,” says Na- The Durens included four than, now 19. “I figure if we’re Croplan hybrids — 6125, 6926, going to do it, we might as well 6960, and 6640 — in their go all in.” 1,340 acres of corn this year. As their row-crop operation “We picked the 6125 because has grown, so has the Durens’ it’s an earlier hybrid and gives confidence in Croplan seed. you a good place to start,” ex- The Hardin Farmers Coop- plains Andy. “It’s fast dry, fast die. erative members have grown The 6926 has great yield poten- Croplan corn hybrids on their tial, but it also takes stress. We farm almost exclusively for the put the 6960 on the best ground past several years and have with the most yield potential. been consistently impressed And we use the 6640 to mini- with how well they perform in mize risk because its genetics are Even though they had harvested a fraction of their corn acres by early September, unrelated to the other hybrids.” the Madison County growers, from left, John, Jared, and Dennis are seeing a variety of situations. impressive yields from the Croplan hybrids they planted.

8 October-November 2013 and root growth and improve sure you’re matching the right plant health. hybrid to the right conditions “The Ascend really surprised on your farm. And look at data us, especially since we fought from multiple years. We need mud so much this spring,” says to think about normal, South- Jared. “I never thought the corn ern weather when we make our would do what it has done, cropping decisions and remem- considering the pressure it was ber that not every year is going under when it came up. Get- to be like 2013.” ting the crop going early goes a Preliminary data from local long way toward yield.” Answer Plots can now be found Just like they have for several on www.answerplot.com or by seasons, Jared, Dennis, and talking with your Co-op agrono- John grew the tried-and-true mist, who can also provide more Croplan 6926, an “all-around” information on the R7 Tool and Jim Payne, left, seed and agronomy adviser for TFC and WinField, and Clint Wilson, right, agronomist with Mid-South Farmers Cooperative, help Jared, Dennis, and John hybrid that is highly adaptable specific Croplan hybrids. select the Croplan hybrids that have the best potential for success in their fields. to the wide variation in South- ern growing conditions, says Jim Payne, seed and agronomy adviser for TFC. “That hybrid has an excellent drought tolerance and is very versatile,” says Jim. “It’ll handle Become a Tennessee multiple soil types, and it has top-end yield potential under good weather but excellent Success Story. stress tolerance, too.” The growers also planted Croplan 6175 and the longer- “In the past having used other season 8410 and 8621, all of ryegrasses, I had found them which are available with VT wanting in our stocker operation. Triple PRO® and “refuge in a In other words, these ryegrasses bag” technology. just didn’t work. I let our cattle graze heavy and these ryegrasses “The 6926 has always done didn’t or couldn’t take that well for us, even in the dry pressure. years,” says Jared. “The oth- I did find a ryegrass that could take this pressure ers we tried based on recom- of heavy grazing... Marshall ryegrass. I have been mendations from Jim, Clint planting Marshall for ten years now. Our cattle gain better and faster on Marshall than any other [Wilson, Mid-South Farmers ryegrass. Cooperative agronomist], and I don’t want any ryegrass unless it is Marshall.” Keith [Saum, WinField seed and agronomy adviser]. And David Chase Chase Farms those look great this year, too.” Cleveland, Tennessee Though past performance of Croplan hybrids is a good “Marshall ryegrass makes the best measure of future potential, square hay I have ever put up and Keith warns that next year’s great silage too. I started using seed decisions shouldn’t be Marshall only two or three years ago based on yield alone but rather for hay and silage. I cut early and got two cutting this year. a comprehensive plan based on WinField’s R7 strategy and I use rye also, but I think Marshall ryegrass is better than rye. I will each grower’s specific situa- be using more Marshall this year.” tion. The online R7 Tool® takes Ron Calfee those decisions a step further, Cleveland, Tennessee he adds, by combining more than 20 years of satellite im- agery with local seed and crop protection data to help match crop inputs to the potential of each acre. “Placing these hybrids in advantageous places helped MarshallMarshall ...... * us withstand the late planting America’sAmerica’s #1#1 Ryegrass!Ryegrass! and get the yield results we’ve seen this year,” says Keith. Tennessee Farmers Cooperative

“When making plans for next ® year, be sure to take a look at The Wax Company 888 CALL WAX Since 1898 our data and talk with your *For grazing. According to university grazing studies - AL AR LA MS ©2013 The Wax Company, LLC Co-op representative to make

October-November 2013 9 The Koop family — front from left, Madelyne (Maddy), Chad, and Milly, and in back, Creyo and Marty — are living their dream of having their own agricultural operation with a diverse mix of row crops, sheep, and cattle. The Koops, who also manage Ebenezer Farms in Cornersville, were named Tennessee’s 2013 Small Farmers of the Year.

hen Chad Koop farm’s managers, but they’re when, at age 2, Milly was “There were about two- visited Ebenezer also pursuing their own agricul- diagnosed with leukemia. This and-a-half years where we did WFarms in Corners- tural endeavors with a diverse often-fatal cancer of the blood nothing but focus on getting ville to bid on a huge fencing operation that includes row struck the toddler suddenly, her well and keeping her that project for the 3,000-acre crops, sheep, and cattle. More with her only symptoms being way,” says Chad. “We didn’t go property, he found that another importantly, Chad and Marty a high fever that appeared at anywhere. We hardly left this well-respected fence company are raising their three children bedtime and disappeared by farm. We even had people bring in the community had already — daughters Madelyne (Mad- morning. Marty, trained as a us groceries.” gotten the job. dy), 10, and Milly, 5, and son nurse, says her instincts told her Over the past year, with But after learning that Chad Creyo, 7 — in the same type something wasn’t right. Milly’s health situation vastly owned and operated a company of rural upbringing they had in Visits to their pediatrician improved, the Koops finally put that also specialized in building their native Kansas. and then Vanderbilt Children’s their farming plans in motion. barns, the farm owner asked Hospital in Nashville confirmed They bought a used com- him instead to take on some the worst — 85 percent of bine and tractor. They leased Cornersville restoration projects. l Milly’s cells were leukemic. She enough land to grow 300 acres And then he had a bigger spent six months at Vanderbilt, of corn, soybeans, and wheat proposition. “We’re so thankful for this maintaining a brave attitude on the farm they manage as “He liked Chad so well that job,” says Marty. “There’s through all the chemotherapy well as other farms in Giles, he kept asking, ‘What’s it going no doubt, God sent us here. and complications. The leuke- Lincoln, and Marshall coun- to take for you to run my farm?’” Without it, we couldn’t have mia is now in remission, but ties. They restructured their says Marty Koop, Chad’s wife accomplished all of this or sur- Milly goes back to Vanderbilt livestock programs, with a goal of 11 years. “We weren’t sure at vived everything our family has every six weeks for checkups. of raising the most cost-effec- first because we had our own gone through over the past few Because her immune system tive registered seed stock for business and our own cattle and years.” will be compromised for quite customers while saving replace- had just started plans to build Though the Koops have seen some time, extra care must be ments for their own expansion. a house. But we thought if we their fair share of struggles in taken to ensure she isn’t ex- They’re selling beef from their don’t try it, then we’d never getting their farming operation posed to even the most common farm, and Marty is even trying know what we were missing.” established, Marty is mainly disease. That meant putting the to launch a line of homemade Six years later, the Koops are referring to the life-threatening family’s agricultural aspirations tomato juice created from a not only well established as the battle they faced in July 2010 on hold for a while. secret Koop family recipe.

10 October-November 2013 “We have all these ideas,” says Chad. “It just takes so much to get them going …” “And I want to do something where I can work from home,” adds Marty. “Otherwise, when Milly gets in school, I’m going to have to go be a nurse again. Chad has his hands full with his job of managing this place, and I want to be here to help build our operation. That’s why we’ve got all these different things in the works. We LEFT: The Koops have a registered herd of Maine-Anjou, Chi-Angus, and Chi-Maine cattle that they pasture on rented ground. figure you go all in, or you go Chad brought the herd’s foundation with him from the Koops’ native Kansas. RIGHT: Maddy, 10, is in her second year of 4-H home.” and is already racking up awards by showing Suffolks that the Koops have raised. She won grand champion breeding ewe at Chad’s responsibilities this year’s Tennessee Junior Livestock Expo and earned top placings in showmanship and premier exhibitor competitions. at Ebenezer Farms include harvesting hay, mowing fields, keeping roads and structures maintained, and preserving the wildlife habitat. He also cares for an orchard filled with apple, pear, peach, and cherry trees and keeps the lawn manicured at the home of the farm owner, who visits the property a few times a year. Chad buys most of the farm’s supplies through Marshall Farmers Coopera- tive in Lewisburg although the

Koops also shop at Lincoln LEFT: Marty would love to make and market her homemade tomato juice, created from a secret family recipe, as a value-added Farmers Cooperative in Fay- product from the farm. It’s made of 100-percent tomato juice and spices and takes hours to process and cook, she explains. etteville and Giles County RIGHT: Chad and son Creyo, 7, inspect the progress of the soybeans the Koops grew for the first time this year. They also grew corn and wheat on acreage they lease from Ebenezer Farms as well as other land in Marshall, Giles, and Lincoln counties. Co-op in Pulaski. After putting in at least 40 today’s competitive and volatile In establishing their farming says Chad. “A lot of people hours a week managing some- agricultural industry, but it also operation, the Koops say they don’t know much about them, one else’s farm, Chad then takes capital. couldn’t have gotten this far but they are great for cross- finds the time to work on his “Chad and Marty have faced without help and support from breeding. The Chi-Angus are own. He and Marty are full and overcome personal trauma friends and neighbors — like a higher-energy animal, where of ambitious ideas, and their over the last few years and fellow farmers Larry Dyer, who is the Maine cattle are docile, so innovative approach helped have still managed to fulfill allowing them to store wheat in when you cross them, you get them earn the 2013 Tennes- their dream of having their own one of his grain bins, and James a solid show animal with flash see Small Farmer of the Year farming operation,” says Keith and Paul Ratcliff, loyal hay and power.” Award, which was announced Clay, farm loan manager with customers who also love Marty’s The Koops’ interest in sheep in July at the Small Farm Expo the FSA office in Winchester. homemade tomato juice. also stems from Chad’s child- at Tennessee State University “They are a great example of “There are so many people hood. As an active 4-H’er, he in Nashville. the opportunities the Farm Ser- who have really welcomed us raised and exhibited Suffolks. To win, they competed vice Agency provides through into this community and helped In starting their own flock, he against other small farmers its beginning farmer loan us in so many ways,” says Chad. and Marty sought out the best who had been nominated by programs.” “There’s no way you can farm genetics they could afford, and local, state, and federal agri- The Koops say their work today without a little help from their efforts are already paying cultural agencies as outstand- ethic and “can-do” attitude friends.” off. In only her second year ing producers in their areas. began developing as children in Though they’ve adapted nice- in 4-H, Maddy won the grand The Koops were nominated by the Flint Hills region of Kan- ly to the farming atmosphere champion Suffolk breeding ewe representatives of their local sas, where both were raised on of Southern Middle Tennessee, award at this year’s Tennessee Farm Service Agency (FSA), farms and met as teenagers. the Koops’ heartland heritage Junior Livestock Exposition, which provided low-interest Marty helped her parents raise is still evident in many aspects and other sheep producers and agricultural loans to help them cattle and hay, while Chad’s of their operation. For example, exhibitors are starting to take develop and diversify their family had a large row-crop, their current 50-head registered notice. farm. FSA financing options cattle, and custom hay opera- cattle herd is founded on the Such success is welcomed, assist farmers like the Koops tion. Chad moved with his par- breeds that Chad brought with but the Koops readily admit to establish new enterprises; ents to Pulaski, Tenn., in 1999 him — Maine-Anjou, which they still have plenty of ad- purchase land, equipment, and when his father transferred to originated in France, and Chi- versity to overcome, like the livestock; and pay for operating Boeing’s Delta rocket plant in Angus, a cross between Chi- abundant wildlife population expenses. Decatur, Ala. Marty followed in anina and Angus. on the property they manage. After all, it not only takes 2001, and she and Chad mar- “The Maine breed is thick courage to start farming in ried in 2002. and heavy and good-growing,” (See Koops, page 12)

October-November 2013 11 this year. And the kids like Koops nothing better than being out- (continued from page 11) side, helping Mom or Dad do something … anything … on Deer have devastated entire sec- the farm, whether it’s putting tions of Chad’s soybean fields up hay, feeding the animals, or this year, and he says he’ll have riding the combine. to plant the crop elsewhere to “The things you learn on the avoid that problem next season. farm are the best things in life,” “There’s a 20-acre field where says Chad. “You work hard, you can see 500 deer just about but you have a sense of accom- every night,” says Chad. “It’s the plishment at the end of the day. craziest thing you’ve ever seen. It’s not easy, but nothing worth It’s a wildlife refuge machine having ever is.” out here.” For more information on the Koop family’s livestock, visit And then there’s the tomato The youngest Koop sibling, 5-year-old Milly has just started showing sheep and juice that Marty hopes to make www.koopcattle.com. hopes to follow in the footsteps of her brother and sister in winning awards soon. and market as a value-added farm product. A family favorite, the unique recipe was created by Chad’s grandmother, Sarah Koop, who taught Marty how to make it one summer. After sharing the juice with friends and neighbors, demand just kept increasing, and Marty thought it could become another income-generating venture for the farm. “It’s to die for, and everybody fights for it,” says Marty. “Chad drinks a quart a day, so I have to have 365 jars each year just for him! He opens a bottle in the morning, drinks half of it, and then drinks the other half at night.” Marty still has several hurdles to clear before producing her tomato juice on a larger scale. Mainly, she can’t grow and harvest enough tomatoes to meet her needs, especially if it becomes a year-round venture. Not to mention that jars are expensive (they have to be glass!) and the fact that she really doesn’t have the right-size equipment. “We just don’t know where to go with it,” says Marty. “It’s hard. It’s hours and hours of cooking and processing. It takes 25 pounds of tomatoes just to make 7 quarts. I’m not sure I can keep up with it.” For all their ambitions, however, the Koops say their top priority is raising their children to love and appreciate their agricultural lifestyle. They’re well on their way. In addition to the awards they’ve earned showing livestock, Maddy and Creyo have even won belt buckles and saddles in rodeo — inspired by Marty, who was an avid rodeo competitor herself. Even Milly showed sheep for the first time

12 October-November 2013 FROM THOSE WHO GROW The right seed for right here While 2013 wheat yields may have exceeded expectations for many growers, those who planted Croplan varieties from WinField weren’t surprised to see their respective crop’s outstanding performance. “Croplan has always done well for us,” says Jerry Stewart, who farms some 3,000 acres with sons Michael and Blake and his brother, Jimmy, in Henry County. “But this is probably, by far, the best wheat year we’ve had.” The Stewarts grew some 800 acres of wheat this year, including Croplan 554 that the Henry Farmers Cooperative members say averaged in the 80-bushel-per-acre range. Some yields edged even higher. “We had 55 acres here in this field, and I’m putting it in a 5,000-bushel bin,” Jerry explains. “I’m not going to get it all in there! So it’s making right at 90 to100 bushels or more.” The Stewarts: from left, Jimmy, Jerry, and Michael Fellow Henry County farmers Wallace Lassiter; his wife, Jerry; their son, Sandy; and grandson, Michael, have seen similar results with Croplan varieties on their Puryear farm. In fact, they’re so confident in the performance of the brand’s varieties that all of their 500 acres of wheat were planted in Croplan 554 and 9004. In 2013, the Lassiters’ Croplan 9004 averaged a yield of 92 bushels per acre while the 554 averaged 84. Sandy says that’s been pretty typical. “We’ve had excellent luck with Croplan, but I’m just tickled to death with it this year,” says Sandy. “I didn’t anticipate our wheat doing well at all with the weather we had this spring. And it was quality wheat, too, with really good test weights. We’ll absolutely have Croplan again next year. It’s that good.”

The Lassiters: from left, Sandy, Wallace, and Michael In neighboring Weakley County, Ronnie Yeargin and his son, Jay, planted a total of 1,300 acres of wheat on their Greenfield farm, including both Croplan 8302 and 9004. Like many other farmers in the region, Ronnie says his yields were “better than expected,” averaging in the high-80s-per-bushel range. And though no one knows what challenges and opportunities the next season will bring, the Weakley Farmers Cooperative members say their plans will definitely include Croplan varieties. “You can always count on Croplan to do well, regardless of where your field is or what the weather is like,” says Ronnie. “They always stay right there on top in terms of yield. You can’t break the bank every time, but as long as they remain consistently good, that’s all we can ask for. That’s what I like best about Croplan.” The Yeargins: from left, Janie, Ronnie, Jay, and Alice Ann TO THOSE WHO WANT TO KNOW Croplan offers wheat seed varieties to match your local conditions and management practices. Planting multiple varieties and a range of maturities and genetics and matching decisions to soil conditions and fertility programs combine to help increase yield potential. Recommended Croplan wheat varieties for the Mid-South are medium-maturity 554, 8302, and 8925 along with an earlier variety, 9004. For more information on these varieties and management practices, check with the agronomy experts at your local Co-op or visit online at www.croplan.com.

October-November 2013 13 14 October-November 2013 October-November 2013 15 ‘Something for everyone’ at Tennessee’s fall agritourism operations By Sarah Geyer and Gina Locke

ith harvest in full swing, this time of Wyear can be hectic for row-crop farmers like Tom Johnson of Fayette County. Throw in a seasonal agritourism business, and the pressure is multiplied many times over. But after 15 years of hosting visitors each fall on their Rossville farm, Tom and his wife, Teresa, have perfected the formula for offering whole- some family fun. “We’re not one of the big mega-commercial deals, but we think we have a neat little place,” says Tom, a member of Mid-South Farmers Coopera- tive. “We really enjoy having people come out to the farm.” Tom’s Farm offers 143 acres of activities, including an eight- acre corn maze that transforms into a haunted attraction every Friday and Saturday night in October. The farm offers wagon rides to the pumpkin patch where customers can pick their own pumpkins. The farm also has a play area with tire and rope swings, and lots of picnic tables are scattered across the fields next to the maze, making Tom’s Farm, owned by Tom Johnson and his wife, Teresa, abounds with fall charm and fun activities for the whole family. The this attraction perfect for large Fayette County agritourism operation is in its 15th year and will be open to visitors throughout October. It’s among dozens of groups as well as families with similar seasonal activities now open at farms across Tennessee. — Photo by Sarah Geyer small children. sweet corn, green beans and activities. Following is the list 110 Corn Maze Lane, tomatoes when in season. of others that we were aware Elizabethton Located at 1665 Murrell of at press time. Most will run 423-543-2676 l Rossville Road in Rossville, Tom’s Farm through the end of October, but beckmountaincornmaze.com is open daily through Oct. 31. we suggest you call ahead or “We’re kind of like a strip Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., check their websites for dates Circle A Farm mall,” says Tom. “We’ve got Monday through Thursday, and and times. 2349 Jericho Road, Maryville something for everyone.” 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through 865-984-6982 Tom will even build and start Sunday. Admission to the corn circleafarm.com bonfires for guests on request. maze is $6 (haunted maze is $7) East “The best part is that you can and includes unlimited trips. Cleek Farms reserve private bonfires,” a cus- A visit to the pumpkin patch, Autumn Acres 2233 Cleek Road, Kingsport tomer from Arlington writes in which includes the pumpkin, is 1096 Baier Road, Crossville 423-765-3123 an online review. “It’s perfect for $8, and the cost of building and 931-707-0103 cleekfarms.com a fall night. Pack a cooler with starting a bonfire is $25 (wood autumnacres.net hot dogs and s’more makings provided). Cruze Farm Dairy Inc. and sit around the campfire.” Tom’s Farm is also available Ballinger Farm Crazy Maze 3200 Frazier Lane, Knoxville For those who don’t want to for private events in November 2805 Renfro Road, 865-659-0137 pick their own pumpkin, Tom’s and after Easter, but reserva- Jefferson City cruzefarmgirl.blogspot.com Farm also sells ones that are tions are required. For more 865-475-7513 prepicked as well as gourds, information, call 901-853-0997. ballingerfarm.com Deep Well Farm squash, mums and other fall This is just one among doz- 9567 Highway 11, Lenoir City decorations. Visitors can also ens of agritourism operations Beck Mountain Corn Maze & 865-803-4425 buy watermelons, cantaloupes, across Tennessee that offer fall Entertainment Barn deepwellfarm.com

16 October-November 2013 Echo Valley Farms Little 8 Acres Corn Maze & 615-220-2918 1458 Groseclose Road, Middle Pumpkin Patch waldenfarm.biz New Market 924 Rickman/Monterey 865-591-7343 Amazin’ Acres of Fun Highway 293, Rickman echovalleycornmaze.com 2857 Old Kentucky Road, 931-498-2569 West TennesseeWest Sparta Fender’s Farm 931-808-4051 Lucky Ladd Farms Donnell Century Farm Adventure 254 Tennessee Highway 107, amazinacres.com 4306 Rocky Glade Road, 3720 Highway 70 East, Jackson Jonesborough Eagleville 731-424-4526 423-753-4469 B & B Farms 615-274-3786 donnellcenturyfarm.com fendersmaze.com 175 Lorena Bagwell Drive, Dover luckyladdfarms.com 931-627-9428 Falcon Ridge Farm Fruit and Berry Patch Pumpkin Hill 22630 Highway 18 North, 4407 McCloud Road, Knoxville Baker Mountain Farm 861 Benders Ferry Road, Toone 865-922-3779 351 Pioneer Lane, Spencer Mt. Juliet 731-658-5200 fruitandberrypatch.com 931-316-9072 615-758-5364 falconridgefarm.net bakermountainfarm.com pumpkinhilltn.com Kyker Farms Holt Family Farms 938 Alder Branch Road, Berry Farm: Harvest on Hayshed Randall Walker Farms 461 Jewell Store Road, Dresden Sevierville 1145 Hayshed Road, Dickson 8240 Manchester Highway, 731-364-3459 865-679-4848 615-789-5843 Morrison holtfamilyfarms.com kykerfarmscornmaze.com harvestonhayshed.com 931-635-9535 rwfarms.com Jones Orchard & Market Maple Lane Farms Bottom View Farm 7170 Highway 51 North, 1040 Maple Lane, Greenback 185 Wilkerson Lane, Portland Ring Farm Millington 865-856-3517 615-325-7017 2628 Greensmill Road, Columbia 901-873-3150 tncornmaze.com BottomViewFarm.com 931-486-2395 jonesorchard.com ringfarm.com Mayfield Farm & Nursery Boyd Farm Shirley Farm’s Pumpkin Barn 257 Highway 307, Athens 1425 Highway 76, Clarksville Rippavilla Amazing Maze 2557 South Bluff Road, Obion 423-746-9859 (931) 216-8250 5700 Main Street, Spring Hill 731-264-5316 mayfieldfarmandnursery.com boydspumpkinpatch.com 931-486-9037 rippavilla.org Todd Family Fun Farm Myers Pumpkin Patch & Cedarwood Nursery & 101 Tom Austin Road, Dyer Corn Maze Pumpkin Patch Walden Pumpkin Farm 731-643-6720 3415 Gap Creek Road, 6794 Nashville Highway, 8653 Rocky Fork Road, Smyrna toddfamilyfunfarm.com Bulls Gap McMinnville 423-235-4796 931-939-3960 myerspumpkinpatch.com cedarwoodnurserytn.com

Oakes Farm Gentry’s Farm Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch 1974 New Highway 96 West, 8240 Corryton Road, Corryton Franklin 865-688-6200 615-794-4368 awesomecornmaze.com gentryfarm.com

Old McDonald’s Farm Grandaddy’s Farm 16705 Coulterville Road, 454 Highland Ridge Road, Sale Creek Estill Springs 423-531-8616 931-967-8628 oldmcdonaldsfarm.net GrandaddysFarm.com

The River Maze at Ocoee Holiday Acres Farm 173 Welcome Valley Road, Benton 346 Campbellsville Pike, 423-338-8314 Ethridge 931-829-2660 The Stickley Farm LLC HolidayAcresFarm.com 531 Timbermill Private Drive, Bluff City Honeysuckle Hill Farm 423-306-9994 1765 Martins Chapel Church thestickleyfarm.com Road, Springfield 615-382-7593 Trivette Family Farm honeysucklehillfarm.com 300 Steel Bridge Road, Elizabethton Keller’s Corny Country 423-213-7533 542 Firetower Road, Dickson TrivetteFamilyFarm.com 615-441-4872 kellerscornycountry.com

October-November 2013 17 18 October-November 2013 October-November 2013 19 New at Co-op

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20 October-November 2013 Neighborly Advice Hunting Don’t become a statistic — practice tree stand safety ne of the hunter is climbing to the ing from them, and replace any l Don’t fall asleep. This is a the stand. worn or weak lumber. common cause of accidents. If Omost To help prevent accidents, l Read, understand, and you get drowsy, move your arms popular follow these safety precautions: follow the factory-recommended rapidly until you feel alert. pieces of l Most injuries from tree practices and procedures when l As a precautionary mea- equipment stand accidents can be prevent- installing commercial stands. sure, remove all logs, upturned used by deer ed if hunters use some type of Inspect the stand’s nuts and and cutoff saplings, rocks hunters is a fall restraint system (FRS). Na- bolts and look for worn straps and other obstructions on the Chance Martin tree stand, tionally, 82 percent of hunters each time they are used. ground below the tree stand. but it can be injured or killed in tree stand l When choosing a com- l Use updated equipment. Home, Lawn, Specialty Product Manager dangerous if accidents were not wearing an mercial stand, get the one with When used properly, newer tree used incor- FRS. The TWRA recommends the biggest platform you can stand equipment is solid, safe, rectly or carelessly. Statistics tree stand hunters use only a afford. The bigger the platform, and secure. Older models of from the Tennessee Wildlife Re- full-body parachute harness- the more foot room you have safety belts offer some protec- sources Agency (TWRA) show type FRS that distributes body and the less chance there is of tion, but newer safety harness- that 54 percent of the hunting weight throughout the shoul- stepping off an edge. es offer more protection. accidents reported in 2012 were ders, chest, waist, and legs. l Climb higher than the l When you scout for hunt- related to deer hunting and that l Never carry equipment stand and step down onto it. ing sites, don’t just look for the leading cause (39 percent) while climbing. Use a haul Climbing up onto it can dis- tree stand locations. Plan for involved tree stands. line to raise or lower your gear. lodge it. ground hunts, too, in case of Falls from tree stands can be Make sure guns are unloaded l Wear boots with non-skid high winds, rain, snow, and ice, caused by a variety of factors, and broadheads are covered. soles because steps or platforms which are not ideal for climb- including structural weak- l Choose only healthy, living can be slippery in wet weather. ing into a tree stand. ness, incorrect installation, trees when using climbing de- l Carry a whistle to call for Don’t become a statistic or carelessness by the hunter. vices. Rough-barked trees such help and a first-aid kit, flash- when hunting this season. Tree stands can also be a factor as oak are best. Do not use a tree light, and cell phone in your Think about safety each time in other hunting accidents, in- that is rotten or has dead limbs. gear. Tell a dependable person you use a tree stand. If nothing cluding injury from accidental l Check permanent tree where you’re hunting and when else, your family will thank you firing of a loaded firearm while stands every year before hunt- you plan to return. for it.

October-November 2013 21 Neighborly Advice Equine Prepare your horses for cooler temperatures hough neke Body Condition Scoring tion, plant species, maturity at whether from an inadequate winter System ranks a horse’s condi- harvest, harvesting techniques, supply or unclean conditions, Tcondi- tion on a scale of 1 (poor) to and storage. may lead to impaction colic, par- tions are not 9 (extremely fat) and is a good Next, look at the feeding ticularly when dry hay makes up as severe in way to monitor his status. Visit directions on the concentrate a substantial part of the diet. the South- http://bit.ly/BCS-equine for (or grain) being fed. Compare Also, consider the availability east as they a complete description of the the amount you’re feeding to the and quality of shelter. Remem- are in other scoring system and to see where recommended rate; there may ber, shorter days mean you’ll Jennifer Earing, Ph.D. areas of the your horse falls. Ideally, horses be room for adjustment. If your likely be working after dark, so country, should be no lower than a 5 on feeding rate is at the upper end, do you have adequate lighting? TFC Equine Nutritionist they do war- this scale going into winter. consider switching to a feed with If your horses are going to spend rant changes in management Now is a good time to look at a higher energy content. You a lot of time indoors, is your practices in comparison to what your feeding program so you can may also need to feed problem- ventilation adequate to prevent we’ve been doing with our hors- get your horse into appropriate atic horses separately to ensure respiratory issues? es in summer and fall. Here are condition before cold weather. they’re consuming the intended Finally, don’t forget about pas- some things to consider: This may mean providing more amount. For more information, tures. Late fall is ideal to apply First, assess your current of your current feeds (hay and visit with us at the Co-op. We’re herbicides and fertilizer. Weeds feeding program. As tempera- concentrate) or offering higher- happy to help select the most ap- compete for the same nutrients tures drop, horses require more quality versions of these feeds. propriate feed for your situation. as desirable species in our pas- energy (i.e. calories) to maintain Start with your forage. Nor- As nutritionists, we talk about tures, so eliminating them will body temperature. If horses are mal, healthy horses can easily the importance of water in hot, result in less competition and not receiving adequate energy in consume 1.5 to 2 percent of humid conditions, but it’s just stronger stands of grass. While their diet, they will begin utiliz- their body weight (16.5 to 22 as important during the win- fall fertilizer application may ing energy, or fat, stored in their pounds/day for a 1,100-pound ter. Before cold weather hits, not significantly improve yield, bodies to supply those require- horse) as forage. Increasing the check automatic waterers and it helps build stronger roots and ments. This results in weight amount or quality of forage of- water tanks. Make sure they’re allows for quicker green-up and loss and poor body condition fered can offset many increased clean and functioning properly. more vigorous growth in the and is especially problematic if nutrient demands of winter. Among other things, water helps spring. Visit with your Co-op for the horse starts out the winter Several factors can affect hay to maintain proper gut motil- help with soil sampling and for- in poor condition. The Hen- quality, including field fertiliza- ity. Reductions in water intake, age management advice.

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22 October-November 2013 Neighborly Advice Crop Nutrients Higher yields mean higher nutrient removal fter pounds of P and 54 pounds of to leaching, although much less 1. Use clean tools: Make sure all is K being removed from the field. than nitrogen. Phosphorous can soil probes and plastic buckets Asaid Soybeans remove .84 pounds of leach as well but is more likely to are clean prior to sample collec- and done, P and 1.3 pounds of K for each be lost due to surface runoff. tion. Using contaminated equip- 2013 will bushel harvested. So for a 50- After this great growing ment can alter the test results. certainly bushel soybean crop, 42 pounds year, there is no better time to 2. Collect enough cores: end up as of P and 65 pounds of K are consider soil-testing. It’s the Collect a minimum of 15 ran- one of the removed. Note that soybeans only true way to get an accurate dom soil samples from a repre- Alan Sparkman best crop actually remove more potas- reading of soil nutrient levels. sentative area. Too few samples years Ten- sium per bushel than corn does. There is no better, more cost-ef- can cause inaccurate informa- TFC Agronomy nessee has Keep in mind that nutrient fective farm management prac- tion and poor repeatability in Marketing Manager experienced removal will vary up or down tice than soil-testing. It gives future years. in the last several years. Good depending on specific field and both grower and retailer a scien- 3. Sample at consistent growing conditions and ample crop parameters. tific-based start to planning an depths: Collecting samples rainfall are pointing toward It’s also important to look at efficient, effective soil fertility at too shallow of a depth may excellent yields. But above- micronutrient removal. This program. By understanding your cause nutrient concentrations average yields also mean above- year’s soil tests already show crop nutrient status, you can to appear higher than they really average nutrient removal from that 40 to 60 percent of the better determine how much P, are, and sampling too deeply can soils. As the harvested portion samples have low to very low K, and lime should be applied cause nutrient concentrations to of a crop is removed from the levels of sulfur, zinc, and boron. this fall to prepare for a suc- appear lower than they are. field, all of those nutrients that Couple that with increased cessful crop next year. 4. Thoroughly mix cores: were used to produce the crop yields, and we could see even However, the first step is tak- Put all your samples in a clean also are being hauled away. lower micronutrient soil test ing your soil samples correctly. bucket and mix them well before For instance, a corn crop levels in 2014. PotashCorp has launched a new collecting the sample that will harvested for grain removes .38 Another factor to consider is website, www.potashcorp- be submitted to the lab. The pounds of phosphorous (P) and the impact of increased rain- ekonomics.com, with soil fertil- total amount of soil that is actu- .27 pounds of potassium (K) for fall on nutrient loss. While we ity tools for growers. The site ally analyzed is small, so a poorly each bushel. In a 200-bushel know that nitrogen can leach, offers these four tips to ensure mixed sample can cause signifi- harvest, that equates to 76 soil potassium can also be lost you get the best soil sample: cant variability.

October-November 2013 23 Leslie Pardue tees off at The Pines, a private “cowboy-style” golf course created by record producer Brent Maher, who “invented” the sport when he mowed fairways and installed nine holes in unused pastures on his Franklin farm. Brent regularly invites friends like Leslie over to play for casual games and also hosts charity tournaments. n a muggy July morning, the course is laid out on what guys are gathering for a used to be pastures, the play- round of golf at a pictur- ing surface consists of whatever esque private course in Franklin. mixture of grass was already ONothing unusual about that, there. Brent just mows it a little right? But one glance at the shorter around each cup — a motley crew’s attire — cowboy buried 6-inch terra cotta flow- hats, ball caps, jeans, T-shirts, erpot. Those regular 4.25-inch bandanas, boots, tennis shoes cups would be too hard to hit in — makes it clear that this is no cowboy golf, Brent explains. typical game. It’s “cowboy-style” golf on the farm of renowned l Franklin record producer Brent Maher, who has carved out a simple nine-hole course he calls “The “Part of the strategy is choos- Pines” on the peaceful property ing which clubs you take,” says Cowboy golf is only one interesting chapter in the life of Brent Maher and wife where he and wife Janel have Dan Hays, general manager of Janel, who have lived and raised horses on their picturesque property since 1986. lived and raised horses since the the historic Franklin Theatre Brent is an acclaimed record producer, music engineer, and songwriter best known for discovering The Judds and producing all of their albums. He’s holding one of mid-1980s. who’s played at such fabled the Gretsch guitars he collects in a nod to the first guitar he purchased at age 17. Here at The Pines, there’s no golf courses as St. Andrews in Janel, whom he married right after high school, is a talented sculptor and painter. dress code. No etiquette. No golf Scotland. “Just seems like a fun Her amazing work can be seen on the mantel and wall above the fireplace. carts. No bags. No tee times. No thing to do, and you don’t have from the extras they’re carrying have to worry about that here expensive green fees. No pres- to worry about hauling all that in a plastic grocery bag. because on some holes, every- sure. No rules. equipment around.” “We’re just here to have fun body is going to stink,” says Tom Well, almost no rules. The other striking contrast without all the trappings,” says English, who managed Nash- “Of course there are rules!” between cowboy golf and a Dan. “I love the game of golf, but ville’s vaunted WSM 650 AM laughs Chris Prothro, property serious round is the fun, casual this is totally different. There’s radio station until resigning last manager of nearby Arrington atmosphere. Most of the time, no pressure. Even golf pros say month. “This is the most fun I’ve Vineyards, as he and the other these guys don’t even keep score. that a regular game is too long, had playing golf in years!” players get in a few practice They might heckle a player in his too hard, too expensive … and That’s the spirit in which swings. “It’s cowboy golf, not backswing, laugh hysterically at this is everything golf is not.” Brent created his course bandito golf!” a wayward drive, and celebrate Plus, golfing prowess isn’t re- while mowing an overgrown That’s true, with some very a good shot like an NFL player ally a requirement on the cowboy field one fall evening four important differences. Each in the end zone. When a ball course. The links are far from years ago. He wasn’t a player is limited to two clubs — inevitably gets lost in the roughs PGA-perfect, and the unpredict- golfer, but something any two, except putters. Putters — which, by the way, are really ability of the terrain helps level about the view from his aren’t allowed. Actually, they rough — teammates stop to help the playing field for even the tractor seat inspired him. aren’t needed because there find it. If they can’t find the ball, most inexperienced golfer. “It was so pretty, I got to are no putting greens. Since they’ll just pull out a new one “I stink at golf, and I don’t thinking that it would make

24 October-November 2013 a cute little golf course,” says Brent, a customer of Williamson Farmers Cooperative, where the Mahers purchase farm supplies and feed for their horses. “So I imagined where Hole 1 would be, and then I just started making these goofy fairways. Janel thought I was crazy because I didn’t even own a golf club. But all my friends play, and I thought it would be fun.” With no inkling that he was actually inventing a sport, Brent designed six holes, mowing cowboy-style fairways with LEFT: The cowboy golf holes are actually 6-inch terra cotta flowerpots instead of normal 4.25-inch cups. There are no putting curves, doglegs, trees to hit greens, just an area of grass that’s mowed shorter than the fairways. RIGHT: In keeping with the light-hearted atmosphere of over, and anything to make it cowboy-style golf, Chris Kyle, Jason Kyle, and Jeffrey East pause to make a silly pose during a game at The Pines. fun and challenging. A couple car accident. While recovering whose stable includes many of we gave a green cowboy hat to of weeks later, he invited a few at Williamson County Hospital Music City’s top songwriters. the winner,” says Brent. “When friends over to play. They prob- in Franklin, she was cared for Dianna runs the company, and we saw how much fun every- ably thought he was crazy, too, by Naomi Judd, who was work- the Mahers’ son, Brian, is mak- body was having, we thought we Brent admits, but after a hilari- ing as a nurse while she and her ing his mark as a songwriter and might have just stumbled onto ous, laughter-filled round on the then-teenage daughter, Wyn- just had a No. 1 hit, “Til My Last something big.” homemade course, he knew he nona, were trying to break into Day,” with country singer Justin After attending one of these had a hit on his hands. the Nashville music scene. At Moore. Rounding out this talent- tournaments, longtime friends And, after all, Brent knows the end of Dianna’s hospital stay, filled family, Janel is an amazing Dr. Michael and Sherrilyn Pas- a good hit. In his long and Naomi slipped Brent a home- artist, too, working as a sculp- ternak, fellow equine enthusiasts admirable career in the music recorded cassette tape. tor and painter whose favorite whom the Mahers had met at business, the six-time Grammy “By then, I had quite a bit subjects are horses. horse shows, recruited profes- Award-winning producer, engi- of success as a producer, and It may seem like a stretch to sional golfer John Reger Jr. to neer, and songwriter has worked I promised her I’d listen to it connect cowboy golf to Brent’s join Brent in forming the “Boots with many of the industry’s most straight away,” says Brent. “Well, music career, but he has found and Bandana Golf Association” famous artists in country music I put the tape down in the kitch- a way to creatively combine the — what they claim is the first or- and beyond, including Kenny en, got busy, and forgot about it. two passions. Of course, many of ganization of its kind to promote Rogers, Kathy Mattea, Jo Dee About three weeks later, Janel his golfing guests are related to cowboy-style golf. Messina, Ray Charles, Olivia asked me if I’d ever listened to it, the recording industry in some “I can’t imagine that I’m Newton-John, Dottie West, Tina and I said, ‘No.’ She said, ‘That way, and those first informal the only person who has ever Turner, and even Elvis. is so rude! Naomi was great to games soon turned into some thought to do this, but to my Such success didn’t happen Dianna. Just don’t come home loosely organized tournaments in knowledge, I am,” says Brent. “I easily or overnight. A native of tonight if you haven’t listened to which the players would throw know we’re the first alternative Kansas, Brent grew up near it and called that woman!’ So I money into a cowboy hat and the golf association to encourage Denver, Colo., where he and Ja- listened to it on my way to work winner would give it to a charity people to build golf courses on nel met as teenagers and married that morning, and I just loved it. or someone in need. farms and ranches. We just want after high school. A four-year There was something so incred- “We eventually started having people to see how much fun you stint in the Air Force brought ibly unique about their sound. our own version of the Masters, them to Tennessee when Brent One thing led to another, and we and instead of a green jacket, (See Golf, page 26) was stationed at Sewart Air ended up with a great 10-year Force Base in Smyrna. After his run. Everything about it just service, the aspiring guitar-player clicked.” landed a job as an assistant Brent not only nurtured The recording engineer at a studio Judds into superstars, but he in Nashville and later worked in also produced all of their albums Las Vegas before returning to and wrote many of their biggest Music City in the late 1970s. hits, including “Why Not Me” Brent is most famous for dis- that won the Academy of Coun- covering and developing mother- try Music’s Song of the Year in daughter duo The Judds in the 1984. He continued to work early 1980s. It all started with Wynonna on her solo career when the Mahers’ that followed The Judds’ farewell daughter, Dianna, tour in 1991. was in a serious These days, Brent continues to produce and engineer records Brent has marked all for an array of artists from his of the course’s holes Blue Room Studios in Nashville’s with clever names, like this one where Berry Hill and is the founder golfers are often and chief executive officer of Ted Behar, a plastic surgeon in Franklin, tempted to hit over an Moraine Music Group, an in- is thoroughly enjoying his first time enormous rough area playing cowboy golf, celebrating with of weeds and brush. dependent publishing company exhilaration after sinking a difficult putt.

October-November 2013 25 hosiery store entrepreneur, suf- Golf fered from this condition. (continued from page 25) “I’ve known Michael for years, and he kept saying there must can have doing this. I think John be a connection with music and Reger said it best: ‘It just takes a his foundation,” says Brent. “I mower and some imagination.’” agreed, because music has such With its motto “Have fun, give healing power, but I just didn’t back,” the Boots and Bandana know how to connect them. Golf Association (BBGA) now Then this cowboy golf thing took hosts two big charity events each off, and it’s fallen into place. Our year — an invitational cham- whole agenda is to raise money pionship, held Sept. 27 at the for lesser-known charities whose A rookie cowboy golfer, Tom English tees off on Hole 3 while, from left, Leslie Mahers’ farm, and the national needs are every bit as important Pardue, Dan Hays, and Brent Maher wait their turn. Leslie and Dan, who play often championship, planned for as the major charities.” on “regular” courses, say they love the no-pressure atmosphere at The Pines. Oct. 26 on a course that Brent, Further linking cowboy golf in need has turned into more so other interested golfers can Michael, and John designed in and the music industry, the than 100 men and women vying join the fun. Lake City, Fla., not far from the BBGA’s tournaments are accom- for championship trophies and “I’ve been busier these last Pasternaks’ home in Gainesville. panied by entertainment from nearly 40 corporate sponsors,” four years than I’ve ever been,” Proceeds from both events Nashville singer-songwriters and says Brent. “The growth is just says Brent. “I hope to never re- benefit the BBGA’s major chari- musicians — some of whom will phenomenal.” ally retire. I want to continue en- ties: MusiCares, which provides actually play in the game and As for the future, Brent plans couraging young songwriters and emergency financial assistance then play on stage during the to continue balancing his time in working with new talent. That and outreach services for musi- after-party. This year, the night the studio with time on the golf has always been what I love the cians in need, and the Facial before the invitational tourna- course. He’s not only developing best. And then this whole Boots Pain Research Foundation, ment at The Pines, the Franklin new artists but also new cowboy- and Bandana thing … I can see which was established by the Theatre even hosted a fundrais- style courses that will expand it really growing to be a lot of Pasternaks to help find a cure for ing concert by Texas musician the BBGA’s reach even further. what I do. It’s amazing to see trigeminal neuralgia, a rare nerve Red Steagall, a songwriter and He’s been asked to design such what has come from just being disease that strikes its victims performer known as the “Great a course in Estes Park, Colo., bored one Saturday afternoon on with lightning-like shocks of pain American Storyteller.” that should be open by summer my tractor!” to their face. Michael Pasternak, “What was once 10 to 12 guys 2014 as the third official BBGA For more information on cow- a former Vanderbilt University throwing a few bucks in a cow- site. The BBGA is also trying to boy golf, visit the BBGA’s website professor and highly successful boy hat and giving it to someone establish a membership program at www.bootsandbandana.com.

26 October-November 2013 October-November 2013 27 Stan Butt named executive director of state dairy group Stan Butt, who grew up wife, Sheila, have been mar- the contact person for TDPA, in Sumner County and was ried for 41 years and have three a nonprofit organization formed introduced to dairying by sons of their own, an adopted in 2009. Primary responsibili- “hand-milking an old Jersey son, and 13 grandchildren. ties include being a proactive cow belonging to a neighbor- “The TDPA board is excited voice for the dairy industry, ing farmer,” has been named to have someone with Stan’s increasing the association’s executive director of the Ten- experience to step into this new membership, securing and nessee Dairy Producers Asso- position,” said the organiza- maintaining funding, working ciation (TDPA). tion’s president, Tony White. to involve and retain youth in Butt is a graduate of Port- “We are confident that he will the dairy industry, interacting land High School and Tennes- bring continuity to our associa- with the state’s livestock enti- see Technological University in tion and will be a positive voice ties, and serving as a legislative Cookeville. His first position for our industry.” liaison in both Nashville and was with the Middle Tennes- CooperatorAs executive Junior Ad_Layoutdirector, 1Butt 6/11/13 is 8:50Washington. PM Page 1 Stan Butt see Council of Boy Scouts of America in Nashville, serving as district executive for the Dan Beard District. He and his

Heritage Festival TO is Oct. 12 at MADE MEASURE Ames Plantation More than 150 folk artists will demonstrate traditional farming, cooking, and home life skills at the 16th Annual Heri- tage Festival to be held Satur- day, Oct. 12, at Ames Plantation in Grand Junction. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 4-16, and free for ages 3 and under. Parking is free. FREE Activities include demonstra- AP600 Scale Platform! tions of blacksmithing and other with purchase of indicator crafts and shopping for hand- and MP600 load bars made items like soap, candles, and brooms. Visitors can explore Heritage Village, an au- thentic replica of a 19th-century Animal safe — NO sharp edges Industry’s Best Scale Platform rural settlement that includes Take advantage of these the nationally renowned Stencil other great oﬀers! House. Named for the elabo- • Locks-on stable weight in 2-4 seconds rate stencil designs on its walls, the landmark is considered one • Sealed against dirt and moisture of the South’s most impressive • Most advanced scale range available examples of this decorative art. • Superior electronics A large collection of antique tractors and steam engines will • FREE software updates be on display, and re-enactors will give artillery demonstrations EziWeigh 7 Series 3000 Indicators at a Civil War encampment. $100 Mail-In Rebate! $200 Mail-In Rebate! Available at your Award-winning gospel and local participating bluegrass bands will also per- Farmers Co-op! form on two stages throughout XRS EID Stick Reader the day. Younger festival-goers $100 Mail-In Rebate! will have plenty to do, too, from picking and ginning their own cotton to taking a tractor-drawn Valid July 1-November 30, 2013. Oﬀers apply to end-user/producer purchases only. Platform and rebate programs can be combined. ride around the plantation All prices stated in USD. Normal freight terms and conditions apply. www.ourcoop.com www.tru-test.com grounds. For additional information, call 901-878-1067 or visit www.amesplantation.org.

28 October-November 2013 October-November 2013 29 Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Home, Lawn, Specialty Department Manager Mark Morton announces a winning door prize number during the Sept. 14 Sportsman’s Extravaganza at Montgomery Farmers Cooperative in Clarksville. The activity-filled event geared toward outdoorsmen drew a record crowd of some 1,500 people. t takes something special “I think it’s awesome to have they see that we’re not just a this morning,” said Bennett. “I to get a hunter out of something like this,” said Jerry feed store and that we have a wanted to come here, buy some the woods or a fisherman Rutherford of Cunningham, little bit of everything.” duck calls, and meet Michael offI the lake on a September who was accompanied by son One of those first-timers, Waddell. I’ve been watching Saturday. and hunting partner Kenneth, Hunter Bennett of the Indian him on TV for a long time, and But when there’s an event 9. “We were just at the [Mont- Mound community in Stew- he’s one of my heroes. He’s a centered around these two gomery Crossroads branch] art County, cut his duck hunt hunting machine.” outdoor sports and featuring Co-op this morning, and they short to attend the event. Standing behind Bennett in an appearance from national said that we needed to head “Wood duck season opened the line of people waiting to hunting star Michael Waddell over here, so here we are!” of “Realtree Road Trips” and Even organizer Keith “Bone Collector” TV fame, the Earhart, who conceived the interruption is understandable. Sportsman’s Extravaganza with Montgomery Farmers Coop- fellow Co-op employee Josh erative was able to pull off this Briggs, said it was gratifying to feat Sept. 14 at its Fourth An- witness the turnout after many nual Sportsman’s Extravaganza months of planning. in Clarksville. “With the move to Saturday, we were able to try a lot of l Clarksville new things this time, and it’s paid off,” said Earhart, the Co-op’s outdoors/sporting Some 1,500 people — more goods manager. “I’ve had than double the average from several folks tell me that they the prior three years, when came 60 or 70 miles away from TOP: In addition to the Extravaganza was held on up in Kentucky just for this, door prize giveaways and speakers such as Thursday evenings — came to and a lot of people can bring professional hunter the Co-op to meet and hear their whole family now that it’s Michael Waddell, the from Waddell, professional bass on the weekend.” Extravaganza’s big tent was also home to angler Sam Lashlee, 33 out- And, Earhart added, more a musical performance door-themed vendors, and other people mean more exposure from the Lauren Stacey experts who provided helpful for the Co-op. Band, whose high-energy set included renditions information on hunting, fishing, “It draws new people here,” of popular country hits. boating, and land management. he explained. “I bet there are LEFT: Event organizer and Co-op employee The day’s activities also included 400 to 500 people here today Keith Earhart, right, a special in-store sale on all out- who have never been to the talks during a live radio door items, numerous door prize Co-op before. When people interview with Marshall Sidebottom of Elkton, Ky., giveaways, food, and live music. come to something like this, radio station WEKT-AM.

30 October-November 2013 meet Waddell was Clarksville deer hunter Michael Holder, who brought along 19-month- old son Jensen. “I hunted this morning, came here, and I’ll be back in the woods to hunt some more this afternoon,” said Holder. “I didn’t get to come when they had this last year, so I made sure not to miss it. I think this event will just keep getting bigger and bigger because they always have a good program and some really good deals in the store.” LEFT: Jarred Stacey, left, shares bowhunting tips with John Nicholas, right, and John Seay of Erin at the Hunter’s Den booth. And there were just as many RIGHT: Samantha Manley, 8, of Clarksville gets her shirt signed by Michael Waddell of the highly popular “Bone Collector” TV series. female admirers waiting to see special. My hat’s off to the Then there was Gilbert Pow- tional for me, and everyone has Waddell. Cathy Alexander and Co-op for throwing such a ell, a recent Jamaican trans- been so nice.” daughters Tristan, 9, and Gra- great sportsman’s celebration. plant whose son, Sean Wallace, As the day ended, a weary cie, 6, and their friend, Saman- “It’s like a pep rally for every- displayed intricate barbed wire but happy Earhart was already tha Manley, 8, were wide-eyed one who is a part of the family designs at his company’s booth, looking ahead to the future. with excitement as they chatted of hunters and fishermen.” Windows of Opportunity. In “It took everybody here at with their favorite television Besides sharing the many his thick island accent, Powell the Co-op to put this together,” personality. adventures he’s had hunting admitted that although he nei- he said. “This year was great, “We never miss an episode of through the years, Waddell also ther hunted nor fished, he still and we’ll work hard to make it the Bone Collector,” said Cathy stressed to the audience the gained a lot from the event. even better in the future. We as she watched Waddell sign importance of standing up for “I’ve been very impressed,” plan to have two events next the back of each girl’s T-shirt. their rights as outdoorsmen. said Powell, who moved from year — one in the spring and “I remember watching him on “We’ve got to continue to Jamaica to Cadiz, Ky., in another in the fall. Where Realtree Roadtrips, too. It’s speak up for our God-given August. “It’s been very educa- there’s a will, there’s a way.” so nice that he came here and rights,” Waddell said. “We have took the time to talk to us and to let our congressmen and everyone else. It means a lot.” congresswomen know what we As he shook hands, posed think, because you can bet your for photographs, and then ad- bottom dollar that they’re going dressed attendees in a program to hear plenty from the other that capped off the day’s activi- side of the fence.” ties, Waddell said he felt “right Some of the Extravaganza at home.” attendees were not only new to “This is like a big family re- the Co-op but also to the U.S. union for me,” said the Georgia Pascale Albrecht, an exchange native, fresh from an elk hunt student from Switzerland who in New Mexico earlier in the attends Clarksville Northwest week. “As I go across the coun- High School, looked on with try, a lot of people don’t under- keen interest as she joined stand folks like us who enjoy host parents John and Donna God’s renewable resources. So Wolitski in watching a turkey- to have an event like this with calling demonstration at the folks who do understand is Down-N-Dirty Outdoors booth.

Montgomery Farmers sales associate Tom Biggar, right, assists customer Kevin Boyd of Dover with the purchase of hunting gear. Several Extravaganza attendees took advantage of sale prices throughout the store on hunting and fishing items.

October-November 2013 31 32 October-November 2013 Power to the people Tennessee cooperatives help improve well-being of rural residents, communities Though they often go unno- and celebrate the role, achieve- state’s future, especially in light services. Cooperatives are led by ticed, cooperatives are a power- ments, and contributions of of Gov. Haslam’s focus on rural an elected board of directors and ful force all across our state, pro- co-ops to Tennessee families, economies.” share profits with their members viding electricity and telephone farms, and communities. A spe- Tennesseans are served by by reducing costs of their prod- service in homes, financing for cial “Co-op Week” is designated some 200 co-ops that provide a ucts or services or by providing land, products and services for nationwide for Oct. 13-19. wide range of services and prod- patronage refunds. growing and marketing crops “Cooperative businesses are ucts in the areas of agriculture, While they have a storied and cattle, insurance for proper- an important part of Tennessee electric, telephone, financing, history, cooperatives are still very ty owners, and even employment history and remain a vital part of and marketing. What sets co-ops relevant, committed to making for thousands of Tennesseans. life in our state today,” says Ten- apart from other types of busi- new technology accessible and With October designated as nessee Commissioner of Agricul- nesses is that they are owned affordable for their members. National Co-op Month, it’s an ture Julius Johnson. “They will and controlled by the people For example, the same co-ops appropriate time to recognize also continue to help shape our who use their products and that originally brought electricity and phone service to rural Tennesseans are now working to offer communications tools that are just as essential today: Inter- Cooperatives: net and broadband access. “Rural economies face challenges beyond those typically experienced by more populated and industrialized areas,” says Charles Curtis, president of the FEED Tennessee Council of Coopera- MARKETING ELECTRICITY tives (TCC), a non-profit organi- TELEPHONE zation that works to promote all types of cooperatives in the state. INTERNET “Co-ops can help communities INSURANCE empower themselves to improve CROP GENETICS NUTRIENTS the lives of local residents; create, secure or expand markets; and contribute to the economic FINANCING well-being of the state.” With support of its members like Tennessee Farmers Coop- erative and its member Co-ops, the TCC offers educational and promotional events and opportunities, including scholarships AND SO MUCH MORE! at each of the state’s universities FUEL with a college of agriculture. Other TCC members are Burley TIRES Stabilization Corporation, Co- Bank, Dairy Farmers of America, Farm Credit of Mid-America, Maryland and Virginia Milk Pro- ducers Association, River Valley SEED AgCredit, Select Sires, Tennes- CROP Take a look at a typical Tennessee farm, PROTECTION see Electric Cooperative Associa- and you’ll find examples of all types of tion, Tennessee Farm Bureau cooperatives at work. Federation, and eight different Through the electricity and telephone service in your home, telephone cooperatives. the financing for your land, the growing and marketing of your crops or cattle, or the insurance for your property, coopera- “It’s in our best interest to tives are a vital part of life in rural America and around the keep the cooperative spirit alive globe. in Tennessee,” says Curtis, October is “Co-op Month,” and people around the world are recognizing the accomplishments of cooperative businesses “educating our citizens about the that are financed, owned, and controlled by the people who ways cooperative businesses al- use them. Join us as we celebrate Tennessee cooperatives, which represent a true democracy and mirror the very best of ready benefit them, and support- the American way. Life here would look much different without them. ing cooperatives as they strive to get rural people what they need to succeed in the future.” Visit www.tennesseecouncil ofcoops.org for more information about co-ops and the TCC.

October-November 2013 33 Jamboree visitors will escape to ‘a simpler time’ Rural West Tennessee life of centuries past will be dramatically depicted at the 15th Annual Fall Folklore Jambo- ree on Saturday, Oct 19, at the University of Tennessee’s AgResearch and Education Center at Milan.

Organizers say that from the The Co-op “Run with the Bulls” team was among more than 100 participants in the Dairy Stampede 5K race on Saturday, time gates open at 9 a.m. until Sept. 14, at Middle Tennessee State University’s dairy in Lascassas. Proceeds from the race benefit the Farm Animal they close at 4 p.m., “visitors Care Coalition of Tennessee (FACCT) and the Veteran’s Recovery Center Council. After the run, Co-op representatives also presented FACCT Executive Director Lou Nave with TFC’s latest $25,000 donation to the organization. will feel they have escaped to a simpler time.” Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 3 to 12. Visitors of all ages will have plenty to see and do. Nearly 150 folk artists will demonstrate activities from those past eras — quilting, weaving, broom-making, blacksmithing, and even plowing with a team of mules. Many of the items made by the artisans will be for sale, including pottery, candles, soaps, brooms, beaded jewelry, and turkey calls. Organizers say a bag of cornmeal freshly ground in a vintage grist mill is a favorite take-home souvenir. Bluegrass bands will jam on the front porch of a log cabin, joining gospel groups and string bands in providing entertainment throughout the day. Plenty of activities are also planned for youngsters, from horse-drawn wagon rides, picking cotton, petting — or even milking — a goat, and playing in the “Crazy Corn” trough. When they get hungry, visitors will find an array of tasty, tempting food awaiting them, including grilled tenderloin sandwiches, hamburgers, hotdogs, nachos, and old-fash- Right place. Right time. ioned kettle corn. The superior placement and enhanced availability of Wolf Trax® DDP® Micronutrients As a featured attraction of guarantee more consistent, early plant uptake for optimum growth and productivity. the jamboree, festival-goers can hop aboard a tractor-pulled Ask for Wolf Trax and deliver micronutrients to your crops on time. Call 855.237.9653, trailer for a narrated tour that or visit wolftrax.com. will detail the important and extensive agricultural research that is being carried out at the SCAN THIS CODE FOR MORE ABOUT center. They can also visit the ON-TIME MICRONUTRIENT DELIVERY, impressive West Tennessee OR GO TO WOLFTRAX.COM/ONTIME ® Agricultural Museum on the ® Growing Forward wolftrax.com INNOVATIVE NUTRIENTS center site.

For more information about Wolf Trax®, DDP® and Growing Forward® are registered trademarks of Wolf Trax, Inc. the jamboree, call 731-686- ©2013. Not all products are registered in all areas. Contact [email protected] for more information. 20198 TNC 8067 or visit http://milan. tennessee.edu.

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TFC 9.1875x6.875 Ad 0512.indd 1 October-November 20133/20/12 7:56 AM 35 Toggenburgs, like this young resident at John’s farm, are know for being curious as well as gentle and friendly. ed showing at county fairs,” says John. “Amy was two years behind him, and when she turned 8, she started showing, too. We would go to 11 fairs each summer, and after they got a little older we began participating in the national shows. There were about 10 kids who would travel together to the fairs, and the mothers stayed with them while the fathers came on the weekend, took clothes home to wash, then came back to help move everybody to the next fair. It was exhausting but fun.” With countless titles to show for their efforts, including both the national cham- Hungry Toggenburg goats line up at the feed trough at John Plummer’s dairy operation in Sevier County. John, a retired pion and reserve national dairy science professor, and his late wife, Maxine, bought their first goat in 1972 while living in Pennsylvania and today, the champion at the 2008 Ameri- Neshaminy Acres purebred herd, as it’s called, is one of the nation’s most respected among dairy goat breeders. can Dairy Goat Association na- hen fighting City Hall, sors. “Maxine knew where we Acres, named for Neshaminy tional show in Louisville, Ky., some folks start a peti- could get a goat, and I said, Creek that flowed near the Neshaminy Acres cemented its W tion campaign. Others ‘Well, let’s go get one.’ It was a Plummers’ home. In the ensu- reputation as one of the finest might hire legal counsel or Toggenburg, and Maxine just ing years, the farm’s animal purebred Toggenburg herds in write a lengthy letter to the fell in love. So we just kept lineup would grow to also the country. editor of the local newspaper. adding more and more.” include Jersey show cattle. “We’ve bred a national senior John Plummer bought a goat. “When Paul was 8, he start- champion, a reserve national It was 1972, and John l Boyds Creek and wife Maxine’s three-acre Pennsylvania property on the outskirts of Philadelphia was While they built their goat set to be rezoned from agri- numbers, the Plummers also cultural to residential. Intent added two more “kids” to the on being grandfathered in to family over the next few years the existing zoning setup, the — son Paul and daughter Amy. Plummers decided to add a As the children and the herd farm animal that would allow grew, so did the family’s desire them to do so. to show their Toggenburgs, “At first, we talked about a breed that originated in getting a pony,” says John, who Switzerland and is the oldest grew up in Clarksville, Tenn., dairy goat breed in the U.S. but moved to Pennsylvania The Plummers began showing where he and Maxine began at both regional and national John, center, talks with Sevier Farmers Cooperative salesmen John Delozier, left, and their careers as college profes- competitions as Neshaminy Joe Woods about his Jersey show cattle, two of which are grazing in the field at right.

36 October-November 2013 senior champion, and three junior national champions,” says John, who notes that Paul and Amy together earned more than $25,000 in college scholarship money through showing. “And the year we won both national and reserve national champion, that had only happened one other time in the history of the event. We’ve competed at every national show but two since 1988.” Now, the operation has migrated from Pennsylvania to Tennessee in the Boyds Creek Community of Sevier County. LEFT: John says that Jersey cattle are “a beautiful animal to show.” He prefers to use The Plummers moved five years Canadian breeding with his stock because “they tend to be more structurally correct.” ago to be nearer Maxine’s ailing ABOVE: A group of kids inside the barn vie for John’s attention. parents, both of whom have says. “Once you’ve diluted your since passed away. Sadly, Max- herd, you can never go back. So ine lost her own 13-year battle there’s a pretty good demand with leukemia last year. for our genetics. We’ve exported “I had talked to Maxine about bucks to Canada, Brazil, and retiring from the goats after we Africa.” won the national championship, Currently, John says he gets but they were a big part of her “a little over 10 gallons a day” life and are really what helped out of the 10 does he milks. keep her alive for so long after “And I do something different she was diagnosed,” John says with it,” he explains. “I treat it quietly. “She loved the shows with formic acid. Paul and I are and got to know so many people the only ones doing this in the who were like family.” U.S. When you take the milk At one time, the Neshaminy and treat it with formic acid, it Acres herd was “in excess of gets the pH down to between At the 2008 National Dairy Goat Show in Louisville, John, left and Maxine, far right, 170 head,” but John, now 71, 4.2 and 4.4. That helps it keep stand with children Paul and Amy after showing the national champion, Neshaminy has streamlined the operation for three to four days without Acres Aloha, at left, and reserve champion, Neshaminy Acres Havarti. — Photo provided by John Plummer to its present-day figure of 45 souring. So, I’m able to give it head, with 30 adult goats and free choice to the kids. Before and friends. There’s a pretty big an exhibitor and grandsons R.J., 15 kids. John, who at one time that, I was pasteurizing the milk demand for it in the larger met- 4, and Caleb, 1, are sure to fol- milked as many as 40 does twice in five-gallon batches, which ropolitan areas. I know someone low. All three are the children of daily, now only milks 10. All of was a pretty time-consuming who sells 80 pounds a week at a Paul and his wife, Cassi, who is the kids are bottle-raised. process.” market in New York City for $25 also a veterinarian. Both children are now grown But the kids aren’t the only a pound.” “It’s been a way of life for and working as veterinarians — ones benefiting from goat milk, When it comes to the health me and my family for 40 years,” Paul in Iowa and Amy (Weath- John says. and nutrition of his goats and John says. “I’ll continue on as erly) at Ames Plantation in West “Our Jersey calves are raised cattle, John relies on Sevier long as I’m able.” Tennessee — but they maintain on goat milk,” he explains. “You Farmers Cooperative, where interest in the herd. Paul even can give a Jersey calf four gal- he visits “several times a week” raises his own herd of 25 goats, lons of goat milk a day, and it’s for items such as Co-op 16% using the same bloodlines under more easily digestible. Paul has Coarse Goat Feed (#348). He the name Neshaminy Oaks. some pigs that he raises with says the feed provides the right “We have probably the most goat milk, too.” combination of vitamins and closed herd in the United Cheese-making is another minerals for his lactating does. States,” says John, who taught way that John utilizes his goat “They really like the 348 a dairy science for 38 years at milk. Maxine enjoyed the pro- lot,” says John, who buys his Delaware Valley College of cess of making different variet- feed in bulk. “I’m happy with Science and Agriculture in ies, he says, and even won Best how it helps them look and Doylestown, Pa. “We buy semen in Show at the 2008 national feel. I’m always at the Co-op for and bucks, but we’ve never competition. something, whether it’s feed or added a female to the herd. “Before she passed away, we supplements or inputs that we Everything we have is a de- looked into getting a license use here on the farm. I enjoy scendant of our first doe. That’s for a production facility, but it going there.” really unusual.” was going to cost $80,000 just Another enjoyable endeavor John adds that it’s also rare to build a plant to meet specs, for John is watching a whole to find strictly purebred Toggen- so we decided it was going new generation of his family burg breeders these days. to be a little too expensive to become active in the show ring. “There are only about 20 market our cheese,” John says. Granddaughter McKindry, 6, is John milks 10 goats twice each day. Toggenburg milk is known for high left in the entire country,” he “I make some now for family already showing her prowess as quality and low butterfat content.

October-November 2013 37 ‘Butterflies Are Free’ Giant exhibit is part of admission at Music & Molasses Festival Oct. 19, 20

By Jerry Kirk sion to the festival — $5 per notes in her office. “This is a person (children 4 and under private collection, and not only “ utterflies Are Free” — get in free). Festival hours are is this the first time it has been title of a 1972 hit movie 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and shown, but it will be the ONLY Bstarring Goldie Hawn 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Park- time. It’s a one-and-done situa- and Edward Albert — would ing is free. tion, and we’re thrilled to host also work in giving top bill- Besides the butterflies, Mu- it here at the festival.” ing for an attraction at this sic & Molasses visitors can en- The colorful exhibit, which year’s Music & Molasses Arts joy plenty of down-home music boasts120 display cases of but- & Crafts Festival on Saturday and entertainment — picking, terflies and moths, combines and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20, singing, and clogging — as well the extensive collections of two at the Tennessee Agricultural as a continuous live demonstra- devoted friends — Pennsyl- Museum in Nashville. tion of molasses-making the vanian John M. McWilliams, When the popular event old-timey way. Throughout the who died in 2003 at the age of makes its 2013 weekend sprawling festival site, dozens 85, and Tennessean Timothy run at Ellington Agricultural of area artisans will demon- Genter, a biology teacher at Center, home to the museum strate their skills and sell their Independence High School at A striking one-time-only exhibit of and Tennessee Department of Thompson’s Station in Wil- 10,300 butterflies and moths highlights handcrafted items. this year’s Music & Molasses Arts & Agriculture (TDA), a one-of-a- The Music & Molasses liamson County. McWilliams’ Crafts Festival in Nashville. kind display of 10,300 butterfly Festival is staged annually to family passed his collection and moth specimens will fill raise funds for the ag museum, on to Genter so it could be and the butterfly exhibit will the spacious Ed Jones Audito- and the facility’s director, Anne “preserved intact and used for complement all the other activi- rium, located a few steps away Dale, says the addition of the education purposes.” ties that will be of interest to from the main festival activi- butterfly exhibit is a real coup “That makes it perfect for everyone who comes to the ties. Cleverly dubbed “Painted for this year’s event. our festival,” Dale says. “Edu- festival.” Wings & Delicate Things,“ the “Honestly, this is so excit- cation is a huge part of what This year, younger festival exhibit is free with paid admis- ing,” she says, pulling together we do here at the museum, visitors will find plenty of things

38 October-November 2013 to enjoy, including a new activ- a bite to eat at the festival, ity sponsored by Rutherford choices run the gamut from Farmers Cooperative. “The fried pies, corn dogs, and burg- Co-op will fill a good-sized area ers to barbecued ribs and fried with shelled corn, and kids can Snickers bars. Among vendors get in there and play to their bringing their culinary treats hearts’ content,“ Dale says. to the festival for the first “There’ll even be toy replicas of time this year is Nashville’s farm equipment and vehicles Tyler Shaw, who’ll offer Tyler’s for them to play with in the roasted corn, baked sweet pota- corn.” toes, brisket, white beans, and The Co-op corn event will smoked “baloney.” be in a popular area known For more information on as “Farmer for a Day,” where the festival or directions to the youngsters can have what Dale festival site, call 615-837-5197 Rustic birdhouses shaped like musical instruments used in a country band will be refers to as “farm-tastic” experi- or visit tnagmuseum.org. offered by festival exhibitors Linda Anderson and Kathy Logan of Spring Hill. ences. “Many parents say their children don’t want to leave the area,” she adds. Other festival activities for the younger set include pony rides, stick horse races, pig- snorting contests, and face- Pasture painting. They can also pick Management a pumpkin to decorate, visit Tips with Smokey the Bear, and feed and milk goats. Small fees are charged for some of the activities. Visitors of all ages will enjoy country and bluegrass music from various locations of the festival grounds, including Country Hollow. Performances by spirited cloggers are always crowd-pleasers, too. Since 1938, Gallagher has brought experience and technology And, of course, most every- together to create quality animal and pasture management one who attends the festival solutions for Tennessee producers. takes time to visit the shady spot where Muddy Pond, Tenn., icons Mark and Sherrie Guen- ther and crew make sorghum at their popular attraction in which a horse-powered mill is a top attraction. In contrast to the Guenthers, who have appeared at the festival for more than two decades, several demonstrators will be making their debuts this year. ELECTRIC FENCING • MIRACO WATERERS • WEIGHING & EID Included are Bud and Yolanda Heuser of Crossville, who’ll be cooking “Mamaw Teen’s Helping Tennessee producers do and achieve more with educational clinics & many quality Apple Butter” over an open fire products that meet TN NRCS cost share standards. Visit your local Tennessee Farmers (they’ll be using their family’s Co-op to see our full line of electric fencing, weighing, data collection and Miraco watering secret recipe). systems. Among other creative vendors participating for the first While you are there, be sure to ask about upcoming fencing and grazing clinics in your area. time this year are Ruthe Winget of Brentwood with her “glass gardens;” Linda Anderson and Kathy Logan of Spring Hill, who make rustic birdhouses in the shapes of guitars, banjos, and fiddles; and Joe Horton Available at select local www.GallagherUSA.com Studio, which offers “spectacular prints of historic Nashville.” And when it’s time to grab

October-November 2013 39 40 October-November 2013 October-November 2013 41 What’s Cookin’?

Appleappeal Favorite recipes feature flavor of fall

s satisfying as it is to eat freshly picked apples raw and unadorned, autumn’s chill Amakes it equally tempting to head back to the kitchen and make them into something even better. While fresh apples are in abundance this season, now’s the time to try some new dishes and savor this quintessential flavor of fall. This month’s “What’s cookin’?” column can help you do just that. From traditional treats like pie, bread, cobbler, and cake to more unusual creations like pizza, salad, and baked beans, our readers have provided a bushel-basket full of wonderful recipe sub- missions featuring this favorite fall ingredient. Patsy Kelley’s “Apple Cake with Buttermilk Sauce” is a rich con- coction of fresh apples baked with the perfect pairing of sugar and spices and then topped with a drizzle of creamy cooked buttermilk sauce. The recipe has earned Patsy Cook-of-the-Month honors for October-November. Other recipes featured are Easy Skillet Apple Pie, Harvest Wal- dorf Salad, Taffy Apple Pizza, Apple Baked Beans, Caramel Apple Cobbler, Grandma’s Apples and Rice, Fresh Apple Nut Bread, and Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings. A buttermilk sauce makes a rich topping for this fresh apple cake, a flavorful fall recipe submitted by Patsy Kelley of Lexington, our Cook-of-the-Month for September. Enjoy! — Photo and food styling by Allison Morgan Clip, save, and serve Easy Skillet Apple Cake with October-November 2013 Apple Pie Buttermilk Sauce winning recipe 2 pounds Granny Smith What you will need: Directions: apples 3 2 pounds Braeburn apples • 1 ⁄4 cups fresh unpeeled apples Chop apples into small pieces. Add sugar and let 1 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 • 1 ⁄ cups sugar mixture stand for 10 minutes. 3 1 ⁄4 cup sugar 2 • 1 ⁄ cups flour Sift flour and measure. Add salt, baking soda, cin- 1 1 ⁄2 cup butter • ⁄2 teaspoon salt namon, and allspice. Sift again and set aside. 1 1 cup firmly packed brown • ⁄2 teaspoon baking soda Add egg and melted butter to apples and blend. Add sugar • 1 teaspoon cinnamon flour mixture and nuts to apple mixture. 1 1 package refrigerated pie • ⁄2 teaspoon allspice Pour into greased and floured pan. Bake at 300º for crust • 1 egg 55 minutes. 1 egg white • 1 stick melted butter To make sauce, 1 2 tablespoons sugar • ⁄2 cup chopped nuts place sugar, but- Preheat oven to 350º. Peel Buttermilk Sauce: termilk, baking apples and cut into slices of de- • 1 cup sugar soda, and syrup 1 sired thickness. Toss apples with 2 • ⁄ cup buttermilk into a sauce pan 3 1 cinnamon and ⁄4 cup sugar. Melt • ⁄2 teaspoon baking soda and cook for seven butter in 10-inch iron skillet over • 1 tablespoon white corn syrup minutes. Add vanilla 1 medium heat. Add brown sugar • ⁄2 teaspoon vanilla and pour over hot cake. and cook, stirring constantly, for one to two minutes or until sugar Patsy Kelley, Lexington, First Farmers Cooperative dissolves. Remove from heat and

42 October-November 2013 place one pie crust in skillet over Combine peanut butter, spoons butter into hot rice. Add Mountain Dew brown sugar. Cover with apple cream cheese, brown ugar, and applesauce, apples, brown sugar, 1 What’s Cookin’? mixture and top with remaining vanilla, beating until smooth. 1 ⁄2 teaspoons cinnamon, and Apple Dumplings crust. Spread over cookie. Peel and salt. Spoon into a greased deep Whisk egg white until foamy. slice apples and place on top. 2-quart baking dish. Dot with re- 2 (8-count) cans crescent Brush top of pie crust with egg Sprinkle with cinnamon. Heat maining butter and sprinkle with rolls white. Sprinkle with 2 table- caramel topping and drizzle over remaining cinnamon. 3-4 tart apples 1 spoons sugar. Cut 4 slits in top apples. Sprinkle with nuts. Cut Bake, uncovered, at 350º 1 ⁄2 cups sugar 1 for steam to escape. Bake one with a pizza cutter to serve. for 35 minutes or until heated ⁄2 cup butter hour to one hour and 10 min- Klaudene Gourley through. Serve warm or cold. 1 teaspoon cinnamon utes until brown and bubbly. Hendersonville Yield: Six to eight servings. 1 (12-ounce) can Mountain If necessary, shield edge with Sumner Farmers Cooperative Ester Stoltzfus Dew soda foil during the last 10 minutes Pembroke, Ky. Spray a 13-x-9-inch bak- to prevent excessive browning. Montgomery Farmers Cooperative ing dish or pan. Peel and slice T apples into 16 pieces. Roll each Cool 30 minutes before serving. Apple Baked Beans Serve from skillet. T apple slice in one section of cres- Phyllis Lance Fresh Apple Nut cent roll. Place rolled slices in 1 (20- to 28-ounce) can McMinnville the pan in two rows with extras vegetable-style baked Bread Warren Farmers Cooperative along the sides. Melt butter; add beans 3 cups flour sugar and cinnamon and pour 1 cup fresh apples, peeled, T 1 teaspoon baking soda over apples. Pour can of Moun- cored, diced tain Dew over all. Bake at 350º Harvest Waldorf 1 1 teaspoon salt ⁄2 cup pecans, chopped 1 teaspoon cinnamon for 45 minutes. Serve warm with Salad 1 ⁄4 cup brown sugar, packed 1 vanilla ice cream. ⁄2 teaspoon cloves 2 tablespoons maple syrup 1 Note: This recipe is submitted 1 ⁄2 cups oil 2 tablespoons ketchup or 2 cups chunk pineapple, 2 cups sugar by the sales ladies at Grainger favorite barbecue sauce drained; reserve juice 3 eggs Farmers Cooperative. 1 1 2 ⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon ⁄ cup chopped celery 2 teaspoons vanilla Joan Stansberry Dash nutmeg 2 cups seedless grapes 2 cups finely chopped apples Rutledge 2 tablespoons minced onion 6 diced apples, cored 1 cup chopped nuts Grainger Farmers Cooperative 1 ⁄2 cup chopped pecans, Mix all ingredients in a Grease and flour two loaf optional casserole dish. Bake 50-60 pans. Stir together flour, baking Dressing: minutes at 375º. soda, salt, and spices. In a large Facebook exclusive! 1 cup pineapple juice Yield: Four to six servings. bowl, combine oil, sugar, eggs, We receive so many great 2 ⁄3 cup sugar Lorraine Darocha and vanilla; beat on medium recipes each month, we can’t 1 tablespoon cornstarch Mountain City speed with an electric mixer. print them all! But visit us on 1 ⁄2 teaspoon salt Tri-State Growers, Inc. Gradually add flour mixture, Facebook for more recipes 1 egg, beaten beating until smooth. Fold in available only to fans of our Combine first five ingredients T apples and nuts. Pour into pans page. Visit www.facebook.com/ in a salad bowl. Caramel Apple and bake one hour at 350º. TennesseeFarmersCooperative Bring 1 cup reserved pineap- Cobbler Sandra Wilkinson and click on “Notes” to get ple juice to a boil. Stir together Pelham the recipes. sugar, cornstarch, salt, and egg; 2 cans apple pie filling Franklin Farmers Cooperative blend well. Stir in 3 tablespoons 1 ⁄2 cup caramel ice cream hot pineapple juice; add to juice topping in pan. Cook thoroughly over 1 box yellow cake mix January’s challenge: low heat, but do not overcook. 1 cup melted butter Cool and pour over salad. Pour pie filling in the bottom New recipes for the new year Marie Delffs of a 9-x-13-inch dish. Cover For our January “What’s cookin’?” column, we’re issuing a challenge to Normandy with caramel topping and then all our loyal readers: To celebrate the new year, we want you to ask a friend Bedford Moore dry cake mix. Pour melted but- or family member to share a new recipe … and then we want you to share Farmers Cooperative ter over dry cake mix; don’t stir. it with us. We’d also love to know who gave you the recipe and, perhaps, Bake at 350º for 45 minutes. if you shared a recipe in return. It’s a fresh approach to our recipe theme T here, so we hope you’ll play along. Taffy Apple Pizza Tricia Bratcher Smithville The person submitting the best Warren Farmers Cooperative recipe will be named Cook-of-the-Month 1 (18-ounce) tube sugar and receive $10. Others sending recipes cookie dough chosen for publication will receive $5. 1 T ⁄4 cup peanut butter Monday, Dec. 2, is the deadline 8 ounces cream cheese Grandma’s Apples for your “new” recipes. 1 Don’t forget: Only recipes with ⁄2 cup brown sugar and Rice 1 complete, easy-to-follow instructions will be considered for publication. ⁄2 teaspoon vanilla 1 Several recipes are disqualified each month because they do not contain all 2 medium apples 1 ⁄4 cups uncooked brown rice the information needed to prepare the dishes successfully. Recipes featured Cinnamon to taste 4 tablespoons butter, divided in “What’s cookin’?” are not independently tested, so we must depend on 1 1 ⁄4 cup caramel ice cream 2 2 ⁄ cups chunky applesauce the accuracy of the cooks sending them. Always use safe food-handling, topping 1 cup cubed, peeled apples preparation, and cooking procedures. 1 1 ⁄2 cup peanuts ⁄4 cup brown sugar Send entries to: Recipes, Tennessee Cooperator, P.O. Box 3003, Roll out dough to fit a 14-x- Dash salt LaVergne, TN 37086. You can submit more than one recipe in the same 3 15-inch pizza pan. Bake 11 to 1 ⁄4 teaspoons ground envelope. You can also e-mail them to: [email protected]. Be sure 14 minutes; cool 10 minutes. cinnamon, divided to include your name, address, telephone number, and the Co-op with Loosen from pan and cool com- Cook rice according to pack- which you do business. Recipes that appear in the “What’s cookin’?” col- pletely. age directions. Stir 2 table- umn will also be published on our website at www.ourcoop.com.

October-November 2013 43 GEAR FOR THOSE WHO WORK HARD ALL WEEK AND VOLUNTEER ON SATURDAYS.

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101020 Women’s Long-Sleeve WJ130 100665 Signature T-Shirt Women’s Sandstone Active Jac Women’s Rockford WA018 Quilted-Flannel Lined Insulated Windbreaker Women’s Acrylic Watch Hat Every Farmer Has A Story Tom and Regina Tesnow Story and photos by Sarah Geyer ‘Best of the breed’ From German shepherds in Wisconsin to red Devons in Waynesboro, Tom and Regina Tesnow have a passion for producing the perfect animal

t only took one long week- of those skills into livestock “They have lots of beef even years, quality of the grass wasn’t end in Wayne County for production. though they’re not big animals,” up to par. IRegina and Tom Tesnow to “The dogs are a big part of our says Tom. “After all, legs don’t “Harold and Willard suggest- realize they’d found their retire- story,” explains Regina. “We’d have meat on them.” ed seed varieties, and the Co-op ment home. never farmed before, but we un- At first, Regina was con- fertilized for us,” says Regina. The Wisconsin residents derstand genetics and breeding.” cerned about how their Devons “It’s like a family down there at had dreamed of moving to the the Co-op. When I tell them South, envisioning themselves we have a problem, they always living out their golden years come through for us.” on a small farm. They wanted For example, during a visit to a place with warmer weather the Tesnows’ farm, Harold sug- where they could still enjoy the gested the couple try harrowing seasons. They wanted reason- their fields to spread the ma- able taxes and cost of living nure and accelerate the forage where the price of land would growth. allow them to have some acre- “We bought a harrow from age. When an Internet search the Co-op,” says Tom. “It pulled pointed to properties in Arkan- out that packed-up stuff and sas and Tennessee, a particu- spread it out nicely, and the larly promising parcel of land in grass just jumped out of the Waynesboro caught their eye. Usually accompanied by their dogs, Regina and Tom Tesnow make daily visits to feed ground.” the red Devon cattle on their Waynesboro farm. The Tesnows carry a brush with them With big plans for the future, and often groom the cattle to help “gentle” them. the Tesnows have made other Waynesboro l They found their inspira- were developing when other improvements to their farm, tion in a Hobby Farm Magazine farmers mentioned that the including expanding the barn The Tesnows say it was love article on heritage red Devon cattle looked fat. and turning an outbuilding at first sight when they visited cattle, one of the oldest beef “I worried about that until into an on-site butcher shop. the farm, complete with a breeds in existence today. Origi- I butchered the first one, and Last year they processed nearly house, outbuilding, barn, and nating in England, Devon cattle then I worried about whether I 2,000 pounds of beef for use by 60 acres of land. are known for their fertility, was going to have enough fat for themselves, friends, and clients. “It had everything we want- ease of calving, hardiness, and hamburger,” she says. “So the “We cull ruthlessly because ed,” says Tom. “So we bought it ability to adapt to temperature way we are feeding, we’re getting we want to sell seed stock that on the spot.” extremes. They’re also excellent maximum production out of the is true to Devon standards,” They planned to retire from foragers, which would allow the animal without excessive fat.” explains Regina. their jobs within a year — Tom Tesnows to make good use of The Tesnows train their cattle “Which gives us good eatin’!” was an operating engineer and their pastures. on Co-op 12% Beef Builder adds Tom. Regina worked for the Milwau- But the docility of the Devon Pellets (#94441) purchased As members of the Red kee Building & Construction breed was the main attraction from Wayne Farmers Coopera- Devon USA association, the Trades Council — but were so for these rookie farmers, who tive. Tom and Regina say they’ve Tesnows are part of a com- eager to get to their new farm now have 20 head with five relied heavily on the knowledge munity committed to making that they moved to Tennessee calves on the way. of the Co-op’s manager, Harold sure that the breed is healthy six months later. “We wanted something we Pope, and salesman, Willard and diversified. Their approach “We just couldn’t hold out,” didn’t have to worry about chas- Pope, in getting their operation harkens back to their days of laughs Regina. ing us all over the farm,” says off the ground. producing German shepherds, During that time, the Tom. “Harold and Willard have when the Tesnows paid close at- Tesnows made plans for what “The Devons are just the been a tremendous help with tention to genetics and carefully they would do with their prize sweetest animals,” adds Regina. the Devons,” says Regina. “They researched pedigrees. Produc- property they named Tomina “They just love to be groomed helped us with choosing our ing a “cookie cutter” dog was Farm by combining parts of and touched. Even the bull feed and gave us advice on the the benchmark, and as it turns their first names. They decided comes up to me and drops his best minerals. I just went to out, it’s not all that different in to focus on cattle and began to head for me to pet him.” them and said, ‘Teach me about cattle, Regina says. research the different breeds. The Devons also have a this.’” “You couldn’t tell one puppy They weren’t farmers, but they distinctive look in that they are Since their Devons are from another,” she says. “That’s had built a solid reputation for shorter in stature than other, mainly grass-fed, the Tesnows the standard that we want with breeding, raising, and showing more common beef-type breeds, also needed help with manag- our Devons, but it will take German shepherd dogs and felt but they still have an excellent ing their forages. Because their some time. We want to produce like they could translate some size and quality to their carcass. pastures hadn’t been farmed in the best of the breed.”

46 October-November 2013 Every Farmer Has A Story

Regina and Tom, along with German shepherd Dixie and her adopted Boston Terrier, CuJo, spend several hours a day tending to their herd of heritage red Devons on their 60-acre farm in Waynesboro.

October-November 2013 47