NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) Commissioner Julius Johnson recently announced Producer Diversification cost share awards totaling nearly $900,000. The funds will help 173 Tennessee farmers invest in new or expanding areas of agriculture.

In its seventh year, the Producer Diversification cost share opportunity is helping farmers expand or improve their operations through production of varied agricultural products. Diversified agricultural products include agritourism, aquaculture, fruits and vegetables, honeybees, horticulture, organics, value-added products, viticulture and others as approved by the TDA.

The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program also includes cost share funding aimed at cattle improvement, hay and feed storage and animal health improvement. Through the Producer Diversification cost share opportunity, Tennessee farmers can apply for reimbursement of 35-50 percent, up to $15,000 in some instances, for eligible cost share activities.

Farmers interested in submitting a proposal for funding will have a chance to apply again next year. For more information, visit www.TN.gov/agriculture/ enhancement

WASHINGTON D.C. — An Indiana company was recognized for exemplary treatment of its workers, by the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Assoc. (NMSHSA). Red Gold, Inc. was awarded the Plate of Bounty Award during the Office of Head Start’s National Conference.

The Plate of Bounty Award was established to recognize an outstanding contributor to children and their families, noted Cleo Rodriguez Jr., executive director of NMSHSA. Since the early 1970s, Red Gold has been providing support to children and families through offering families continuous and stable employment, safe, exceptional housing, Kids Camp, Fishing Derby, Partnerships with Boys and Girls Scouts of America, Health and Nutrition partnerships and Head Start partnerships with Teaching and Mentoring Communities.

BRANDT consolidated to relaunch Saf-T-Side as TriTek

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — After 25 years on the market, BRANDT has announced that Saf-T-Side is getting a new name and look. Beginning in October, Saf-T-Side is now marketed under its new name, TriTek, which is derived from the product’s unique properties and function as a 3-in-1, fungicide-insecticide-miticide spray oil emulsion.

For years, Saf-T-Side has had a reputation of providing effective, long-lasting insect and disease control. It is also recommended by leading universities as an essential component of integrated pest management.

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The GROWMARK System of cooperatives, headquartered in Bloomington, was ranked seventh on the NCB Co-op 100 listing of the nation’s 100 highest revenue-earning cooperative businesses. GROWMARK was ranked sixth on the 2010 list.

The NCB Co-op 100 debuted in 1991, is the only yearly report of its kind to track cooperative revenues in the United States. Cooperatives in this year’s top 100 account for a combined revenue of more than $193 billion in 2010.

MARYSVILLE, Ohio — The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. and Marrone Bio Innovations announced an exclusive research and development agreement designed to provide consumers new natural plant protection products. Under terms of the deal, Scotts will have access to Marrone’s portfolio of innovative biopesticides for the development of new products for the lawn and garden market. The two will collaborate on research and development, Marrone will manufacture and supply any resulting products and Scotts will maintain worldwide marketing rights.