From crops to cattle, erratic weather is disrupting how Tennessee farms do business
Ali Lightfoot, left, and her husband, Wesley Lightfoot, own Lightfoot Farms in Millington. (Brad Vest/Special to The Daily Memphian)
In perfect conditions, livestock on the Lightfoot Farmstead emerges from the West Tennessee winter ready to graze on a lush, green Millington pasture in the spring.
But perfect is a challenge.
Generations of West Tennessee farmers have planted their crops each year by instinct and tradition. Tomato seeds go into the ground after the last frost; calves move into fresh pasture as the grass comes in.
But those rhythms are becoming increasingly harder for the region’s farmers to predict.
This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.
Topics
Subscriber Only farming agriculture Lightfoot FarmsThank you for being a subscriber to The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
Did you know we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization? We rely on a mix of revenue from subscriptions (50%), advertising, events and other earned income (25%) and fundraising (25%).
Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian today.
👉🏽 Your subscription pays for you to read all our journalism.
👉🏽 Your donation powers the work we do to reach everyone else with the news.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now.
Ellen Chamberlain
Ellen Chamberlain is a global citizen who is happy to call Memphis her forever home. The Michigan native has worked in media for nearly 25 years as a radio broadcaster, journalist and ghostwriter. As The Daily Memphian’s food and restaurant writer, she gives readers inside perspectives of their favorite restaurants and the people behind them, suggestions for the best bites around town and the latest food news from in and around Shelby County.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.