July 26, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher made a stop in Smithville as part of his visits to four counties Thursday.
State Tourism Commissioner Mark Ezell was originally scheduled to join Hatcher on the tour but he was unable to attend.
The meeting, hosted by State Senator Mark Pody and State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver at the county complex, offered local residents a chance to meet the commissioner and learn more about the state of agriculture in Tennessee.
“This is the third of four stops we have been on and the number of people who have turned out has been great,” said Commissioner Hatcher.
Although farmers generally are optimistic, Hatcher said there are concerns because farm income is down.
“In the agriculture community most people are telling me that farm income is down 50% so they are really struggling in all aspects of the industry but they are optimistic because of the Governor we have. He is hugely supportive of agriculture and the department of agriculture and that makes my job a lot easier. There is optimism even though right now farm income is down,” he said.
So what has led to this downturn in farm income?
“There are a multitude of factors. The trade war with China hasn’t helped as far as the commodities go with the crops and soybeans and Tennessee also exports a lot of hardwood to China and that has had an impact and then there is the dairy industry where we have seen fluid milk consumption decline but that is a supply and demand thing so it’s a combination of factors,” added Commissioner Hatcher.
The market for beef cattle and poultry remain strong in Tennessee and Hemp production is growing which could someday make it a leading cash crop in the state
“Hemp could be an alternative to tobacco and maybe one of those cash crops that will really help but we need to be cautious going into it. Farmers, especially tobacco farmers are well suited to growing it because they are used to the labor and they know the drill on it. In general we have the technology and innovation to improve precision agriculture as we move forward with better planting devices and things that save on resources like fertilizer, fuel, and seed so change is everywhere. People don’t always like change but change is coming,” added Commissioner Hatcher.
A resident a College Grove, Hatcher brings a lot of agriculture experience to his role as commissioner being a 10th generation farmer .
“I am a veterinarian by trade but farmer by life. My family is still in the business. My son has taken over that while I am in this role because I want to devote 100% of my time to it. Agriculture runs deeply with me and I care deeply about it. It is my passion and I love this job because I get to travel across the state and visit with farmers. I have found them to be innovative, versatile, and thrifty,” he said.
Members of the DeKalb County Fair Association presented Commissioner Hatcher with a gift basket filled with home grown and produced products like bread and jars of jelly, honey, and even a DeKalb County Fair tee shirt in appreciation to the Tennessee of Agriculture for providing a grant which made possible a new 18,200 square foot Agriculture Center building at the DeKalb County Fair, part of which has been completed and was used for the first time last week during the annual fair.