New Group Forming to Discuss Agriculture-related Topics, Pre-register for Event by March 17
PULASKI, Tenn. – A new lunch event has been scheduled for March 19, 2025, in Pulaski for those interested in agriculture in Middle Tennessee’s southern counties.
“We are not exactly sure what to call it or how to describe it,” said Rob Holland, director of the University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture. Holland is among the meeting planners. “It is a lunchtime gathering designed partly as an agricultural reunion group as well as an educational, informative and a networking event all rolled into one.”
Keith Carver, UT Institute of Agriculture senior vice chancellor and senior vice president will be the featured speaker for the inaugural luncheon.
The luncheon is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. CDT at the Giles County Agri-Park, 2030 Elkton Pike, in Pulaski. UT Extension Giles County Director Kevin Rose says the event will conclude by 1 p.m.
“There are various agriculture clubs in other communities and regions of the state where folks interested in supporting Tennessee agriculture connect each month and have a brief program focused on agriculture. We are modeling this gathering after those clubs,” says Lettie McCord with the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation. McCord is one of the event’s hosts.
“We have planned this event for March 19 to coincide with National Ag Week and National Ag Day, which is the day prior,” adds Dan Strasser, McCord’s colleague at the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and another member of the planning team. “This luncheon is just another way to highlight agriculture, celebrate farmers and recognize the value of collaboration within the agriculture industry in southern middle Tennessee,” Strasser says.
Scott Lewis with Farm Credit Mid-America and another member of the planning team says, “The event targets anyone interested in agriculture – primarily, current and retired farmers, current and former agricultural leaders, current and former Extension workers, rural leaders and anyone interested in connecting with and advancing Tennessee agriculture.”
For those who pre-register by noon on March 17, there will be no cost to attend. Pre-registration is possible online at forms.office.com/r/xNqjCY2A0E or by calling the UT Extension Giles County office no later than noon on March 17 at 931-363-3523.
“Attendance at this first event is important because we plan to survey the attendees to see if there is interest in the group continuing to gather on a regular basis,” said Boyd Barker with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Barker is another member of the event planning team.
For additional information, feel free to reach out to Holland at rwholland@utk.edu.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.