Registration is now open for the Tennessee Farmland Legacy Conference. The conference will take place on Oct. 9-10 at Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, Tenn. Farmers, landowners, and community leaders will have the opportunity to learn about protecting and growing today’s farms for tomorrow’s families and communities.

“The conference will give farmers and community planners the opportunity to come together and discuss the many ways to preserve farmland for our future generations,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. “In addition to farm estate planning, the conference will also provide information on things farmers can do today to improve their profitability and viability such as cost share assistance through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program.”

Discussion topics will include property taxes, estate planning, conservation easements as well as other agriculture and community issues affecting today’s farmers. Some of the speakers scheduled to attend are Gerry Cohn with the American Farmland Trust and Rhedona Rose with the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation.

“The family farm and agriculture is the most important industry for the state of Tennessee and the country,” said fifth generation farmer Phillip Kelley of Kelley’s Dairy Farm in White House, Tenn. “I think it is important for farmers to know what their options are for preserving their farms and their legacy.”

Hosted by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee Department of Tourism, Lyndhurst Foundation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Land Trust for Tennessee, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, USDA Rural Development, Center for Profitable Agriculture, MTSU Center for Historic Preservation and Cumberland Region Tomorrow, the conference will offer valuable information for producers and community advisors.

Farmers and community planners can register for the conference online by visiting www.picktnproducts.org/legacy or by calling (865) 974-0280.