News

Donny Green, County Executive Director of the DeKalb-Cannon County Farm Service Agency (FSA), today announced that Cannon County has been approved to accept applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address agricultural damages resulting from the May 6 through May 9, 2024 high winds and flash flooding in specific areas of Cannon County.

The ECP signup will begin June 10 and will continue through July 15, 2024.

The specific damaged areas approved under this signup authorization are the following approved disaster events and general areas in and around the following:

            High Wind Damage (Southeast)                                  Flash Flooding Damage (West)

Pleasant View Rd.                                                              Hollis Creek Rd.
McMahan Rd.                                                                    Bradyville Rd.

Ivy Bluff Rd.                                                                      Readyville                                                           

Green says if you are in one of these specific approved areas of Cannon County and suffered storm related damage, you should complete an application for ECP cost-share assistance by visiting the DeKalb-Cannon County Farm Service Agency. Approved applicants may receive up to 75% cost-share of approved restoration activity. Limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and beginning farmers and ranchers may receive up to 90% cost-share. If you have already began emergency restoration activities, please make sure you are keeping records of all materials, labor, and other associated expenses.

Eligible practices under this program include: debris removal, grading, shaping or releveling, and fence
             replacement/restoration. Damages to residential or farm buildings are not covered under this program. In
             order to be eligible for assistance, an onsite inspection by USDA officials must reveal that there is at least
             a $1,000 of total storm related damage. Cost-share may include all reasonable expenses incurred
             including: materials, services, labor, equipment, and sales tax. All expenses must be documented and
             must be limited to restoring conservation structures and all other installations to a similar type and
             function before the disaster event.  

FSA county committees will evaluate applications based on an on-site inspection of the damaged land, taking into consideration the type and extent of damage. An on-site inspection does not guarantee that cost-share funding will be provided.

Farmers who have agricultural damages on cropland or pastureland, and would like to request cost share assistance to remove debris from cropland or pastureland and/or restore fencing for livestock can make application for USDA cost-share assistance by visiting the DeKalb-Cannon County Farm Service Agency office in Smithville. You may also call 615-597-8225, Ext. 2 for more information.

The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) has announced results from its annual roadside observational survey to determine the state’s average seat belt usage rate. This survey returned a statewide usage rate of 92 percent. The 2023 usage rate represents an increase of approximately 1.5 percent compared to Tennessee’s 2022 survey result of 90.5 percent. The 2023 survey result is Tennessee’s highest annual seat belt usage rate to date.

“Seat belts save lives,” said THSO Director Buddy Lewis. “The purpose of this annual survey is to help the THSO and traffic safety partners identify the demographics and areas of the state most in need of support to increase seat belt usage. Our goal is to reach as many drivers as possible to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities across Tennessee.”

Every year, the THSO works to improve the state’s seat belt usage rate by increasing occupant protection education through programs like Ollie Otter, Reduce TN Crashes, and other THSO grant-funded initiatives. The THSO also promotes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Click It or Ticket” seat-belt enforcement campaign to remind citizens to buckle up.

Highlights from Tennessee’s 2023 seat belt survey are as follows.

• Research data was collected at 190 pre-identified roadway locations across Tennessee.
• Researchers observed almost 27,000 vehicle occupants.
• Vehicles observed included passenger cars, pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs.
• The highest usage rate was observed among occupants in sport utility vehicles (96.1 percent).
• The lowest usage rate was observed among occupants in pickup trucks (82.4 percent).
• Female occupants were observed to have a higher usage rate (97.6 percent) than males (88.4 percent).
• Front-seat passengers were observed to have a higher usage rate (93 percent) than drivers (91.8 percent).
• County-level usage rates exceeded 90 percent in 11 of 16 counties included in the survey’s sample.
• Davidson and Knox Counties tied for the highest usage rate (95.1 percent) among sampled counties.

This data was collected through an annual roadside observational survey conducted by the University of Tennessee’s Center for Transportation Research during the spring of 2023 in accordance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Uniform Criteria for State Observational Surveys of Seat Belt Use.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces that soybean producers may request a referendum to determine whether producers want the Secretary to conduct a referendum on the Soybean Promotion and Research Order (Order), as authorized under the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (Act). Participation in the request for referendum is voluntary. Producers should participate only if they wish to request a referendum on the program.

If at least 10 percent, not to exceed ⅕ of producers from any one State, of the 515,008 eligible producers determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) participate in the request for referendum, a referendum will be held within one year from that determination. If results of the request for referendum indicate that a referendum is not supported, a referendum will not be conducted. The results of the request for referendum will be published in a notice in the Federal Register.

Soybean producers may request a referendum during the 4-week period beginning May 6, 2024, and ending May 31, 2024.

To be eligible to participate in the request for referendum, producers must certify that they or the producer entity they are authorized to represent paid an assessment at any time between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023.

Form LS-51-1, Soybean Promotion and Research Order Request for Referendum, can be obtained from May 6, 2024, to May 31, 2024, by mail, FAX, or in person from Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Offices, or can be downloaded from https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/researchpromotion/soybean . Completed forms and supporting documentation must be returned to the appropriate FSA County Office:

• By FAX or in person no later than COB on May 31, 2024.
• By mail postmarked by midnight on May 31, 2024, and must be received in the FSA County Office by COB on June 7, 2024.

Notice of the Request for Referendum was published in the February 2, 2024, Federal Register. For more information, contact Jeana Harbison, Research and Promotion Division; Livestock and Poultry Program, AMS, USDA; STOP 0249 – Room 2092-S; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, D.C. 20250-0249; tel. (202) 720-5705; or via the Internet at  https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/research-promotion/soybean .

 

Donny Green, DeKalb-Cannon Co. Farm Service Agency County Executive Director, reminds local farmers and landowners of the importance of timely crop reporting.  Participation in most USDA programs requires annual reporting of crops and land use and requires a report of all cropland on a farm, even though the land may not be used for annually-tilled row crops. 

Field Grown and Ornamental Nursery crops have unique crop years. As a result, they also have unique crop reporting deadlines. Below are the crop year period and the acreage reporting deadline:

            Nursery Crop Year 2025—-June 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025

            2025 Nursery Crop Reporting Deadline (field grown and container)—May 31, 2024

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office at (615) 597-8225, Ext. 2.

On Monday, April 22, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) is kicking off “Slow Down Tennessee,” a week-long campaign to help increase awareness and reduce speeding across Tennessee roadways. During this campaign, the THSO is offering yard signs free for public citizens to pick up at designated locations statewide. Signs will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Supplies are limited. Click here to view the list of pick-up locations.

“We encourage everyone to pick up a ‘Slow Down Tennessee’ yard sign and help us spread awareness,” said Director Buddy Lewis of the THSO. “When we work together, we can make a difference in saving lives. Since the launch of this campaign in 2021, we’ve experienced a significant reduction in speed-related crashes statewide. Let’s keep up the good work.”

According to Tennessee’s Integrated Traffic Analysis Network (TITAN),

• In 2021, there were 11,758 crashes related to speeding, racing, reckless driving, or aggressive driving statewide.
• In 2022, there were 10,876 crashes related to speeding, racing, reckless driving, or aggressive driving statewide.
• In 2023, there were 9,965 crashes related to speeding, racing, reckless driving, or aggressive driving statewide.

“Despite acknowledging the dangers speed can have on roadway safety, drivers consistently report driving over the speed limit based on our research. That’s why reminders are so important,” said Tennessee Public Affairs Director Stephanie Milani of AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Speeding increases the severity of crashes when they do happen, and the dangers extend to everyone on the roadway – drivers, passengers, other vehicles, and pedestrians. Roadway safety is a shared responsibility, and we’re asking all Tennesseans to do their part to keep our roads safe.”

It’s time to Pick Tennessee Products and pick Tennessee strawberries. Strawberry season is underway. Most strawberry farms are planning to begin selling strawberries in mid-April.

In Cannon County, 6R Farms on Mankin Lane is listed as s strawberry producer.

Check out the list of local strawberry farms to find fresh berries near you.

With warm spring days in the forecast, Tennessee farms will quickly have fields turning red with juicy and sweet strawberries. If you are looking for the freshest berries, head straight to the farm.

“The strawberries are doing very well,” Shelby Vanatta of Cabin Hill Farm in Montgomery County said. “Our estimated date for opening is April 24.”

It’s always best to call a berry farm in advance to learn picking procedures and to determine availability. Depending on weather, the typical strawberry season lasts four to six weeks, so head to a farm now for the freshest, best tasting strawberries.

Support your local economy and buy fresh strawberries from your local farmer. Use the free Pick Tennessee mobile app or go to www.PickTNProducts.org to find a farm near you. Follow @PickTNProducts on Facebook, X, and Instagram to learn more about seasonal recipes, products, and activities.

In a release from the Governor’s Office

Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee joined five other governors in issuing the following joint statement opposing United Auto Workers (UAW)’s unionization campaign:

“We the Governors of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas are highly concerned about the unionization campaign driven by misinformation and scare tactics that the UAW has brought into our states. As Governors, we have a responsibility to our constituents to speak up when we see special interests looking to come into our state and threaten our jobs and the values we live by. 

The reality is companies have choices when it comes to where to invest and bring jobs and opportunity. We have worked tirelessly on behalf of our constituents to bring good-paying jobs to our states. These jobs have become part of the fabric of the automotive manufacturing industry. Unionization would certainly put our states’ jobs in jeopardy – in fact, in this year already, all of the UAW automakers have announced layoffs. In America, we respect our workforce and we do not need to pay a third party to tell us who can pick up a box or flip a switch. No one wants to hear this, but it’s the ugly reality. We’ve seen it play out this way every single time a foreign automaker plant has been unionized; not one of those plants remains in operation. And we are seeing it in the fallout of the Detroit Three strike with those automakers rethinking investments and cutting jobs. Putting businesses in our states in that position is the last thing we want to do. 

The experience in our states is when employees have a direct relationship with their employers, that makes for a more positive working environment. They can advocate for themselves and what is important to them without outside influence. The UAW has come in making big promises to our constituents that they can’t deliver on. And we have serious reservations that the UAW leadership can represent our values. They proudly call themselves democratic socialists and seem more focused on helping President Biden get reelected than on the autoworker jobs being cut at plants they already represent. 

We want to keep good paying jobs and continue to grow the American auto manufacturing sector here. A successful unionization drive will stop this growth in its tracks, to the detriment of American workers.”

In addition to Gov. Lee, signatories include: Governor Kay Ivey (AL), Governor Brian Kemp (GA), Governor Tate Reeves (MS), Governor Henry McMaster (SC), and Governor Greg Abbott (TX).

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is joining states across the nation to ask motorists to Work with Us – move over and slow down for highway workers. TDOT will spread that message statewide during National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 15-19) to improve safety in Tennessee’s interstate and highway construction and maintenance work zones. This year’s theme is Work zones are temporary, your actions behind the wheel can last forever.

“We engineer our roads to be as safe as possible,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “But there’s no amount of engineering that can change driver behavior. 113 TDOT workers have been killed while working on our roads. This is very personal for me. Everyone must slow down, move over, and pay attention every time they’re behind the wheel, especially in work zones.”

So far this year, there have been 29 incidents where drivers crashed into TDOT equipment and vehicles. The spring and summer months provide perfect weather for highway work. Work zones include everything from major interstate widening projects to repaving and Litter pickup. Motorists will encounter work zones across the state. Last year in Tennessee, 22 people died in work zone crashes.

TDOT launched the Work with Us – Move Over, Slow Down safety campaign in 2017 to help bring awareness to the importance of safety in work zones all year long. To learn more about the campaign, see the answers to many frequently asked questions about work zones, and take the Work with Us pledge, click on the Work with Us link below.

Two coaching positions have been announced at Cannon Middle School. Dr. Annie Reed announced this week Ashley Cantrell as Boys Head Basketball Coach and Alyssa Rankin as Head Volleyball Coach for the 2024-2025 School Year.

Ms. Cantrell is currently a teacher at Cannon County Elementary School. She played basketball for Cannon County High School, earning numerous awards, including the Daily News Journal All-Sports Award MVP, 2nd Team All-District, and 1st Team All-District. She continued her career as a 4-year college basketball athlete, where she tied a three-point record at Columbia State and graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science, receiving the M.C Tipp Award and the Academic Achievement award. Ashley completed her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction at Tennessee Tech University. She coached at Short Mountain from 2016-2022, receiving Coach of the Year twice during that time frame, and she coached and worked with Coach Jared Nave with the middle school program from 2017-2019. She has served as the middle school assistant coach this year.

Ms. Alyssa Rankin is currently a teacher at Cannon County Elementary School. An Ohio native, Coach Alyssa Rankin attended school in Marion, Ohio, where she was very involved with sports, playing softball, basketball, and volleyball. She coached middle school volleyball in Ohio and is excited to continue her coaching career at
Cannon County Middle School.

“April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, and I’m excited to kick off the month with the Cannon Runs for Children 5k and Fun Run” stated Karista Colwell, Cannon County Child Advocacy Center Development Coordinator. “This year’s race will feature several great community organizations like CASA and the Cannon County Substance Abuse Coalition, and we encourage everyone to come out and support child abuse and child sexual abuse prevention in Cannon County!”

Cannon Runs for Children will be held Saturday, April 6^th at the Arts Center of Cannon County, 1424 John Bragg Highway, Woodbury.  Registration will start at 6:45 a.m., speakers at 7:30 a.m., and the run/walk will begin at 8:00 a.m. Registration is $25 for adults, $15 for seniors (65+), $10 for students 13-18 and $5 for students 13 and under for the 5k and 1-mile Fun Run.  Register for the event and secure your t-shirt by visiting the website at cannoncac.org.

The Child Advocacy Center works as a team with the Department of Children’s Services, law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office to investigate child abuse allegations, assist victims, and prosecute offenders.  In addition, the Cannon County Coordinator assists parents who have an addiction and want to stop the generational cycle of abusing alcohol and drugs in their families.

Christine O’Day, the Youth Services Officer states “The CAC is such a vital resource in our community, providing support and services for our children and families. I chose to be on the committee to show my support of the CAC and those they serve, as well as to bring more awareness of their services. A bonus is that the event is a fun time with a wonderful purpose!”

When you partner with the Child Advocacy Center, you are supporting child abuse intervention and prevention services for children and families.  For the last 14 years, the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center has worked to help children and families heal from the trauma of child abuse and child sexual abuse. 

Registration is online at cannoncac.org under the Cannon Runs for Children.  For more information about the race call the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center at 615-563-9915 or contact Amanda Hammond at ahammond@cannoncac.org or Karista Colwell at kcolwell@cacrutherford.org