McMinn County Soil & Water Conservation District

04/30/2026

We are proud to recognize Riley Mason as the 2026 Chamber of Commerce Farmer of the Year!

Riley has expanded his family’s farm, strengthened its soil health practices, diversified the operation into the produce and beef markets, and continued growing a 350-head dairy operation using robotic milking systems.

A dedicated leader and problem solver, Riley is committed to preserving his family’s legacy. Beyond the farm, he demonstrates strong leadership through his involvement in Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers, where he currently serves as Chairman and State Representative.

Join us in congratulating Riley on this well-deserved honor!

04/24/2026

Our TREE GIVEAWAY and Arbor Day Celebration is today! Come by and see us at 320 Congress Parkway North.🌳

04/21/2026

🚨🪴Last chance to come get your plants! We are opening tomorrow April 18th 8:00am-12:00pm! We hope to see you there.

📍 McMinn County FFA Greenhouse 2103 Congress parkway Athens, TN 37303 (entrance near the TCAT construction)

💵 Cash or check only

⏰ 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

04/21/2026

🌿Farm Days for 2026🌿

April 24-
🌼Foraging & 🐑Feeding Lambs

May 22-
🌱Planting seeds & 🐝Pollinators

June 12-
🪻Lavender Love

July 24-
🌳Conservation & Stewardship of the land

No August

September 18-
🍂Fall on the Farm

October16-
🎃Pumpkin Patch

November 20-
🦃Friendsgiving

December 18-
🌲Christmas on the Farm

💜Follow us for links to register for each event!🙌🏽

04/10/2026

We are so proud of our Envirothon teams for their hard work, dedication, and passion for conservation! They represented our county exceptionally well at the 2026 RC&D Regional Envirothon Competition. 🍁🦉🌎

This annual event challenges high school students to demonstrate their knowledge of environmental science across soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, and current issues through both written tests and hands-on application.

🥇👏 Congratulations to McMinn Central for taking 1st place out of 14 teams! The team was made up of Meadow Hess, Eli Coggins, Jonah Stiner, Makenna Tipton, and Rae Stiner and was coached by Josh Felker.

03/24/2026

Spring has sprung! 🌸 McMinn County FFA plant sale starts in 3 weeks! Mark your calendars and come see us for your flowers and vegetables 🌱

🗓️ April 14, 2026
⏰ 3:15-5:15 pm
📍 McMinn County High School Greenhouse
2103 Congress Parkway Athens, TN

03/18/2026

🌱 Join us for our Arbor Day Celebration and take home free tree seedlings—including Bald Cypress, Sweet Pecan, and Water Oak! This is a great opportunity to plant something that will last for generations.

The TN Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry will be on-site to answer questions about forestry and tree health, and to share tips on proper planting and pruning. We’ll also have educational resources for all ages and special guests for the kids, including Smokey Bear, Sammy Soil, and Ruby Raindrop!

Stop by, learn more about conservation efforts, and celebrate Arbor Day with us!

320 Congress Parkway N, Athens
Friday, April 24 from 11:00-3:00

For more information please call 423-829-0665 or visit www.mcminncountyswcd.org.

03/17/2026

Happy National Agriculture Week! 🌱

This week, we celebrate the farmers, landowners, and conservation partners who work every day to care for the land that sustains us. From protecting soil health to improving water quality, conservation practices help ensure a strong, resilient future for agriculture in our community.

Thank you for your dedication to stewardship—because healthy soil isn’t just the foundation of farming, it’s the foundation of life.

Thank you to American farmers who continue to feed our country and the world! 🇺🇸🫛🌽🌰🐄🥩🐖🌾🐔👕➡️🌏

03/17/2026

Help spread the word! Entries are due by the end of the month!

03/17/2026

Meet the Morgans at Mountain Medicine Farm and learn about their regenerative farming practices. This is a must-visit experience during their Farm Days events. https://www.discovermcminn.com/news-and-media/the-discovery-blog/p/item/66821/mountain-medicine-farm-connects-visitors-to-the-land-and-organic-products