Root of the Matter

Upper East Tennessee was devastated by the damage left behind from Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024. Farmers in the area had structures, hay, and fields washed away from the flooding. The agriculture community came together to raise money to help farmers, raising money through the Tennessee Farm & Forest Families. That money was recently used to purchase seed to give to farmers so they can grow new grass and have a hay crop. Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation upper East Tennessee Field Service Director, Steven Huff, discusses how recovery in the area is going and how the seed given out is bringing hope to farmers

After serving as the interim for over a year, Dr. Justin Rhinehart has been named the permanent Dean of UT Extension. Rhinehart has been a part of the UT system for 15 years serving as a professor, beef cattle specialist, assistant dean of agriculture, and now dean of extension. On this episode of Root of The Matter Lee Maddox talks with Rhinehart about his career, what he hopes to accomplish in his new role, and why extension has such a vital role in agriculture and rural Tennessee as a whole.

Laura Purtle is the fifth Generation on her family’s dairy farm, Cleburne Jersey Farm, in Spring Hill, TN. While many dairy farms have been forced to sell their herd and get out of the businesses, Purtle and her family have committed themselves to keeping their operation going. They consider their herd to be the oldest continuously milking jersey herd in the Nation. Their ancestors began milking in Tennessee when they immigrated here from Scotland in the 1800’s. On this episode of Root of The Matter Laura talks about the importance of keeping their farm going, and how they’ve done that over the years by evolving and adding a creamery and farm store.

Memorial Day is a day we pause as a Nation to honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom. Rory Williams is an Army Veteran who now farms in Marshall County. He helps remind us the importance of Memorial Day & how he’s honoring those he served with and died in the line of duty.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins recently halted all livestock imports across the border from Mexico into the United States due to a new world screwworm. This new screwworm has the potential to make livestock very sick and even kill them. Tennessee State Veterinarian, Samantha Beaty, talks about the screwworm and the efforts being done to keep it out of the U.S.

Valerie Teal has a full plate. She’s a full time teacher, and helps her husband on their family farm in Coffee County, but the title she’s most proud of though is mom. On this episode of Root of The Matter Amy Beckham and Valerie talk about the joys of motherhood & the struggles of juggling all that being a mom brings while still keeping the family farm going.

Ben Neale has a lot going on. In addition to being a husband, father of four, and first generation cattle producer, he also runs a meat processing plant in Lynnville and a butcher shop in Spring Hill. He recently was announced as the Tennessee Small Business Person of The Year. On this episode of Root of the Matter Ben talks about how he got started in farming and why he’s so passionate about providing fresh and healthy food to folks.

Farmers are among the highest in suicide rates in the United States. That terrible statistic has brought the subject of mental health to the forefront of the conversation within the agriculture community. Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers 2025 State Chair Lee Bagwell has made talking about mental health a priority during his year of service. On this episode Lee talks about the importance of having a community you can turn to and talk to during tough times, and why it’s always okay to speak up and share about your struggles. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts you can find resources to help here.

Today is Earth Day, but for farmers, every day is earth day. On this episode of Root of the Matter, we talk with West Tennessee row crop farmer Matt Griggs about his use of cover crops and how it’s benefited his operation. We also talk with Obion County farmer Derek Giffin about regenerative practices they have incorporated on their farm with grazing cattle on cover crops before planting a cash crop.

West Tennessee recently experienced massive flooding as well as tornadoes. John Williams and Tyler Redmon recount their experiences living through tornadoes with their families, and how they know that God protected them.

Farmers across Tennessee are in the fields beginning to plant their 2025 crop. On this episode of we chat with Gibson County row crop farmer Brent Griggs & Executive Director of Tennessee Corn Amy McNeil about the challenges heading into this growing season and why farmers are planting more corn this year.

Each year thousands of Tennessee FFA members gather in Gatlinburg for the Tennessee FFA Convention. This year more than four thousand Tennessee FFA students gathered for the 97th annual Tennessee FFA Convention. Lee Maddox stat down with National FFA President, Thaddeus Bergschneider, who attended Tennessee’s convention as well as the newly elected Tennessee State FFA President Weston Brown from the West Greene FFA Chapter.