Both commercial and home gardeners interested in growing organic products can take advantage of information from the University of Tennessee East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
The center has scheduled its fourth annual Organic Crops Field Tour for April 26.
The 90-acre Organic Crops Unit, located in Knoxville at 7315 Government Farm Road, is dedicated to organic crop research, and the field day will highlight current research projects and discuss organic crop production techniques and recommendations.
Learn more about green practices and opportunities in Knoxville at the event's educational activities and meet some of the region's businesses who are incorporating sustainability and environmentally friendly practices into their organizations. Nearly 100 exhibitors will be on site.
Other activities:
Light Bulb Exchange by KUB
The first 100 people who bring a used, incandescent light bulb to KUB's booth at EarthFest will be able to exchange it for a new compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL).
Medic Regional Blood Drive
Recycle Yourself: Organ Donation Sign-up
Mercury Thermometer Exchange
Bring your old mercury thermometers and exchange them for a new digital one.
Plastic Bag Exchange
Tennova HealthCare and Keep Knoxville Beautiful will exchange your old plastic bags for a new reusable one.
Heart for Guatemala Shoe and Coat Collection
EarthFest is committed to being a zero-waste event, including all exhibitors and activities. For a full list of food vendors, arts and crafts stands, environmental exhibits and information, visit the Earthfest website.
A network of public walking trails is being built into an upscale residential community on the shores of Watts Bar Lake after city officials amended a hefty federal grant awarded more than a decade ago, writes Bob Fowler of the Knoxville News Sentinel.
City Manager James Pinkerton said the amended grant totals $3,015,928. That funding covers costs for three greenways, and the city is seeking a grant for a fourth paved path, Kingston Mayor Troy Beets said.
The Ladd Landing Greenways system, more than 2.3 miles of 10-foot-wide asphalt walking trails, was officially launched this past week with a groundbreaking.
The three trails will connect to points of interest, from the 10-acre, city-owned Ladd Park to a planned new development in Ladd Landing, the high-end gated community developed by Matt Caldwell.
New Wind LLC, a Nashville-based startup company, has installed its first solar-wind powered turbine in the city, reports Duane Marsteller of the Tennessean. The unit will power a parking lot's streetlight.
The company, formed in February of 2010, specializes in small wind-power installations for businesses and residential customers.
Unlike traditional windmills, New Wind offers turbines that spin horizontally, allowing them to be placed closer to the ground. The company says that the turbines are quieter and don't pose a danger to birds or bats.
The company's units also incorporate solar power for operation on non-windy days. New Wind offers seven sizes of VAWT turbines, ranging from small 350 watt units up to 9 kilowatts that can be mounted on a roof or on the ground.
Plans are in the works for more installations says company president and CEO Stuart Wilson.
The Tennessee Valley Authority will promote recreational opportunities in the region as it commemorates National Public Lands Day on Saturday.
The federal utility will host a series of demonstration clinics and group activities to highlight hiking, bird watching, biking, kayaking and fly fishing.
TVA also will offer volunteer work sessions to give people the chance to participate in the stewardship of public lands.
The agency manages 11,000 miles of public shoreline and 293,000 acres of public land.
Two Knox County Parks and Recreation greenway projects in Halls and Northwest Knox County are moving forward, after Knox County Commission approved the plans.
Nearly a mile of greenway, known as the Halls Park to School Link, will be constructed to connect Halls Elementary School to Norris Freeway, where work is currently underway on the Halls Connector Road Project. The new greenway will pass through what will become Clayton Park.
"This project will provide a safe route for students who walk to school, as well as additional recreational opportunities for Halls residents," Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said.
Knox County will use $501,282 in federal pass-through money from TDOT, with a local match of $125,320.
In addition to the Halls Park to School Link, Knox County Commission also approved an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to construct a greenway loop at the future site of Plumb Creek Park on Hickey Road in northwest Knox County.
The mile-long Plumb Creek Loop is expected to cost a total of $100,000, with $80,000 coming from TDEC and the remaining $20,000 coming from Knox County.
A dog park planned for Plumb Creek is one of the PetSafe dog parks that Randy Boyd, CEO and founder of PetSafe, has committed to building in our community.
