SESSIONS & WORKSHOPS
The Pick TN Conference began in 2016 to fulfill the need for more educational and networking opportunities for Tennessee farmers. Backed by the TN Department of Agriculture, UT Extension Institute of Agriculture and UT’s Center for Profitable Agriculture, six statewide producer associations came together to plan the first conference that was held in Knoxville, including TN Agritourism Association, TN Organic Growers Association, TN Flower Growers Association, TN Farm Winegrowers Association, TN Fruit and Vegetable Association and the TN Farmers Market Association. Since that first conference, we have become a 501c3 and added three more groups to the conference: The TN Beekeepers Association, TN Farmer Veteran Coalition, and the TN Christmas Tree Growers Association. These nine groups meet monthly to plan the yearly conference that is now taking place in middle TN each February.
THE MISSION OF THE PICK TN CONFERENCE IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND NETWORKING IN A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT WHICH FOSTERS GROWTH TO SUSTAIN AGRICULTURE.
THE PICK TN CONFERENCE IS HERE TO SUPPORT FARMERS AND FARMERS MARKET MANAGERS, TO ENHANCE THEIR ACCESS TO SUPPLIERS, EDUCATION, TRAINING AND TO PROVIDE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES TO BETTER THEIR FARM BUSINESSES.
2023-2024 BOARD
Members:
Cindy Delvin, TN Organic Growers Association
Lee Greenberg, TN Organic Growers Association
Reggie Marshall, TN Fruit and Vegetable Association Brian Muetze, TN Agritourism Association
Kasi Haire, TN Association of Farmers Markets Tonya Keller, TN Agritourism Association
Rhonda Moody, TN Farm Winegrowers Alliance Ron White, TN Beekeepers Association Amanda Blount, TN Farmer Veteran Coalition Ron Bridges, TN Farmer Veteran Coalition Robbie Knight, TN Christmas Tree Growers Association
Denise Pullella, TN Association of Farmers Markets
President:
Reggie Marshall, TN Fruit and Vegetable Association
Vice President Cindy Delvin, TN Organic Growers Association
Treasurer:
Laura Swanson
Conference Executive Director:
Amy Tavalin
Secretary:
Denise Pullella, TN Association of Farmers Markets
Advisory Board:
Megan Bruch Leffew
Annette Wszelaki
David Lockwood