Milan No-Till Field Day draws growers from across West TN
MILAN, Tenn. — Farmers learned the latest research in agriculture Thursday at the 29th “Milan No-Till Field Day”.
People also packed food for needy families at the event. Conner Wright, a rising junior at Halls High School, is a sixth generation farmer who came to volunteer. “This is just giving back to people who need it more than me,” he said.
Chuck Danehower, with the UT Extension office, said the macaroni and cheese meals include soy flour. “We’re using a product that’s produced by Tennessee farmers.”
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture estimated about 17 percent of Tennessee’s population is food insecure. Volunteers planned to package about 32,000 meals. “There’s a lot of hungry people and food deficient people in Gibson County, and that’s why I do it to help them,” Mike Deloach, a volunteer, said.
In addition to giving back, farmers also learned about the latest research in agriculture. Education talks covered commodities grown in Tennessee. “We’re also talking about beef,” Communications Specialist Ginger Rowsey said. “We’re talking about natural resources, soil fertility, precision agriculture.”
In addition to volunteering, Wright hopes to get some tips to take back to the farm. “Get a better idea on what to look at in the future,” he said.
Organizers said the meals packaged Thursday will go to food banks in Gibson County and West Tennessee.
Rowsey said this is the largest and oldest field day of its kind in the nation.
