STATE
State Infrastructure and Electric Vehicles
Tennessee’s rural communities play an influential role in the state’s economy. Manufacturing, farming, and many processing facilities are housed in rural parts of the state and only accessible by state supported roadways and infrastructure, thus it is vital those projects are well kept and fully funded.
Slaughterhouse Zoning Regulations
During the 112th General Assembly, legislation was introduced to provide an exemption from county zoning regulations for buildings on land used for agriculture. Motivation for the language came from the lack of processing facilities across Tennessee, with only 21 USDA inspected facilities statewide. Although this legislation was unsuccessful, it prompted conversation about whether zoning exemptions should apply to such facilities.
Approaches to Addressing Farmland Loss
As Tennessee continues to grow, there is concern of the loss of farmland. A bedrock principle of TFBF policy is the belief in free enterprise and private property rights, as quoted in the Philosophy: “We believe in the competitive American free enterprise system. Property rights are essential to the preservation of individual freedom. Most property should be privately owned, privately managed, and operated for profit.”
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has become a growing problem in deer and elk species. CWD is a disease caused by a type of protein called prions. Prion diseases, also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), are a group of rare, fatal brain diseases which affect animals and humans. Even after the infected animal has died, the proteins causing CWD can still be found within the environment for an extended period of time.
Delta-8 THC
Following the enactment of the federal 2018 Farm Bill, Tennessee passed SB357 Southerland/HB844 Todd which removed hemp from the definition of marijuana and de- scheduled all hemp-derived cannabinoids from the state’s own controlled substances list, including delta-8 and delta-10 THC. This means delta-8, delta-10, CBD, CBN, and all other plant compounds derived from hemp are officially legal in Tennessee.
Impact Fees and Adequate Facilities Taxes
Increased growth in Tennessee has local/state officials discussing whether to impose impact fees for new developments. Impact fees derive from a government’s power to regulate. Adequate facilities taxes are levied in response to rapid growth, however they differ from impact fees in their legal basis as well as in their use. Adequate facilities taxes derive from a government’s power to tax, not the power to regulate.
Tennessee’s Growth Policy for Counties and Cities – Public Chapter 1101 of 1998
Public Chapter 1101 (PC1101) of 1998 provided a framework for growth policy development within each county area without imposing a statewide mandate. Local governments and community leaders were charged with the responsibility of cooperatively shaping growth policy within their county areas through the development of a 20-year countywide growth plan.
Theileria orientalis and the Asian Longhorned Tick
Theileria orientalis ikeda (T. orientalis), a blood-borne parasite, is a specific strain of the Theileria organism more severe to cattle, causing infectious anemia. There is currently no treatment or vaccine for T. orientalis, so the most effective methods of management are prevention and isolating infected animals.
TWRA Court Case
In 2017, there were two separate instances of TWRA trespassing without a warrant and cameras being placed by agents on private property in Benton County. Both properties were used for farming, hunting and other personal activities. Both saw agents on their properties without a warrant, which resulted in a court case against TWRA and the specific agent responsible for placing the cameras. The case is referred to as Rainwaters v. TWRA.
NATIONAL
Cryptocurrency
In 2008, an unknown computer programmer or group of programmers created a computer platform allowing users to make valid transfers of digital representations of value. A cryptocurrency is digital money in an electronic payment system in which payments are validated by a decentralized network of system users and cryptographic protocols instead of by a centralized intermediary such as a bank.
Supply Chain Issues
The United States and global agricultural industries rely heavily on an efficient and economically viable supply chain. Factors such as inflation, labor, transportation issues, and current worldwide events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine-Russia conflict have had enormous effects on the success of the agriculture supply chain, and ultimately, U.S. farmers.
Preparing for the Next Farm Bill
The current farm bill will extend through the 2023 crop year and will cover the 2023/24 marketing year crops. Dairy provisions of the farm bill will expire in calendar year 2023. Congress is currently having discussions about the next farm bill. Now is the time for Farm Bureau leaders to think and discuss about what changes are needed to the Farm Bill structure.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Environmental Justice
Environmental justice, often called EJ, is both a set of principles and policies and a social movement seeking to eliminate the disproportionate impacts of environmental health hazards on communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities, including foreign-born populations.
Another Acronym ESG
ESG is a widely used acronym for environmental, social and governance issues in business and finance. Some consider ESG factors to be an integral part of discussions about sustainability. According to one definition, sustainability at the financial services level is “an approach that creates long-term shareholder value through managing opportunities and risks that derive from economic, environmental and social developments.”
Northern Bobwhite Quail
Northern Bobwhite Quail is a small ground-dwelling bird found across the eastern US, including Tennessee. Considered the state game bird of Tennessee, the Northern Bobwhite feeds on seeds, insects, and small fruits, and its ideal habitat consists of native grasslands, shrubs and thickets. Bobwhite quail have historically been abundant in Tennessee, but the population began its decline in the state and around the US in the 1960s.
Numeric Nutrient Framework Memo
On April 5, 2022, the EPA released its Nutrient Framework Memo which expresses the agencies continued commitment to supporting states and industry partner’s work in achieving nutrient pollution reductions from all sources. The memo emphasizes the importance of working with the agriculture sector and strives to initiate new opportunities, while also deepening many of the existing collaborative partnerships.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made, fluorinated organic chemicals, with perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) being the most well known chemicals within the group. The chemicals are used in many consumer goods and are the main components of water, oil, and stain repellants. They are used in products such as Teflon, Goretex, and Scotchguard.
Mississippi v. Tennessee Water Lawsuit
Since 2014, Tennessee has been facing litigation from Mississippi regarding the Middle Claiborne Aquifer and the usage of such water source in Memphis. The case was argued before SCOTUS in 2021 and a dismissal was granted due to Mississippi’s failure to show entitlement to relief. The unanimous decision temporarily settled the dispute, but only kickstarted discussion surrounding equitable apportionment and interstate water rights.
SEC Climate Disclosures
On March 21, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed a rule requiring registrants, which are companies which register with the SEC, to include certain climate-related disclosures in their registration statements and periodic reports, including information about climate- related risks which could impact their business, results of operations, or financial condition.
