Broiler workshops

Chickens are one of the best pets. What other pet can poop breakfast?
Eggs are only one of the many benefits of chickens. Most chickens fall into two categories, layers and broilers. Layers are defined as chickens whose primary purpose to lay eggs. Broilers are defined as chickens primary purpose is for meat production.

Farm Faith and Families event

Farmers, veterans, and their families are invited to an evening of celebration for the farm community to be held at Heartland Meadows in Halls, Tennessee, on July 8, starting at 6 p.m. The program will feature presentations on Faith, Family, Farm, and Freedom. We will honor our special guests—representatives of the Greatest Generation who served during the World War II era—and all who have served or are serving in the armed forces of the United States.

Launch of New Eye-tracking lab expands research opportunities at UTIA

What captures the eye may hold the key to research solutions
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — What is the value of a gaze? In the hands of researchers at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, the value could be immense. The Institute’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics recently launched the REM Lab—an acronym for research, extension and marketing—to capture visual attention data that can be used to develop a myriad of solutions.

Dr. Palmer

Dr. Paris Alton Palmer (Pat) was born in 1868 and died in 1951. He was the son of William Esau Palmer and Margaret Russell Palmer, grandson of Jesse Green Palmer and Sarah Sharp Palmer. He married Belle Miller, who was the great-granddaughter of Martin Luther Miller and “Pioneer” Henry Sharp, two of the first settlers of Sharps Chapel. Dr. Pat and his wife Belle were the parents of seven children, and from those siblings there were 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Away we go - again

Some of you may be aware that I endeavored to start a travel blog last year. Well, life got busy and writing about where I had traveled wasn’t as appealing as actually traveling. My apologies.
I am making a second attempt by documenting our fiftieth wedding anniversary trip from which we just returned. Bear with me as I get you from Knoxville to Phoenix, Arizona.

Victory Garden

My grandfather will be 98 years old this year. He is a veteran of World War II. Montgomery Jackson Kennedy, known as “Jack,” served in the U.S. Navy and survived an air raid by the Japanese while in the South Pacific. The air raid destroyed the small ship he was on and he was rescued shortly after by another navy vessel.

Don't forget the old paths

Many years ago Porter Wagoner did a recitation on his television show entitled “Trouble in the Amen Corner.” You can access it on YouTube.
The recitation tells the story of an old gentleman named Ira who sang in his church choir. His cracked voice did not harmonize well with the rest of the choir and he sometimes missed words.

The fourth of freedom

Country Connections By James and Ellen Perry
I am sitting on my porch this morning of June 20, 2022, enjoying a cup of coffee, and also enjoying an unusually cool beautiful late June morning.
We had a great spring with plenty of rain and cool weather which has blessed East Tennessee with some of the lushest green foliage and beautiful flowers spread over our beautiful state with gorgeous sunrises for all to enjoy at no cost.

Backing Up

If you ask me if my momma is a great cook, I’ll answer, “Yes, she is.”
If you ask if me if mom is fun, I’ll answer, “She’s a hoot.”
If you ask me what is one of my mom’s greatest talents, I’ll answer, “She can drive anything.”
Mom grew up on the same farm I did. Whereas I loved working in the garden, she loved being out in the fields. She was driving farm trucks across them before she had her driver’s license. There were even times she drove the tractor. If it needed to be driven, she’d jump in and go.

Pickled Tongue

Here is an old-timey treat. Of course, back in the day when most farmers butchered a pig in the fall the tongue never went to waste. Today, you would be hard pressed to find a pork or beef tongue anywhere on the meat counter. The butcher would need to order it for you.