🌤️ One More Frosty Weekend, Then the 60s: Same Steady Hand at the State Ag Department, Get in Line Early for Conservation Money and Keep the Bird Feeders Clean

Or: Dunlap Dips Near 28 Saturday Night Before a Sunny Warmup, Andy Holt Was Named to Stay On as Agriculture Commissioner, a Neighboring County Explains Why Conservation Money Is a Ranking Line, TWRA Shares Bird Feeder Tips and the Farm Dates Worth a Fridge Magnet

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Friday, November 13, 2026

Good morning. It’s a chilly, sunny Friday in the valley. The National Weather Service forecast for Dunlap, updated at 5:06 a.m. CST, shows a high near 47 today and one more frosty weekend before a warm, dry week settles in.

Yesterday’s report covered the drought map, sweet potatoes and electric fence grounds. Today brings new things to know. First, the updated weekend-to-warmup forecast. Next, news about who will lead the state agriculture department, plus a farm data proposal in Nashville. Then a neighboring county’s reminder that conservation money is a ranking line, just a week before NRCS’s Nov. 20 date. After that, TWRA’s simple tips for healthy backyard bird feeders. Last, the farm dates coming up. A short checklist is at the end.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Weather (local): Saturday night is the coldest, near 28. Then afternoons warm from 55 Sunday to 67 next Thursday. No rain in the forecast and no alerts for Dunlap.
• State ag leadership (statewide): Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn named Andy Holt to keep serving as Tennessee’s commissioner of agriculture.
• Farm data (statewide proposal): A state senator filed a bill that would require a farmer’s written permission before a company sells that farm’s data. It’s a proposal, not law.
• Conservation money (regional): EQIP and CSP money is awarded by ranking, so an early, complete application helps. NRCS Tennessee’s date is Friday, Nov. 20.
• Backyard birds (statewide TWRA advice): Clean feeders and bird baths once or twice a month and change bird bath water daily.

❄️ One Last Frosty Night Saturday, Then a Sunny Climb Into the 60s

This is local for the Dunlap forecast from the National Weather Service, as of its 5:06 a.m. CST update.

• Today: Mostly sunny, high near 47. Tonight: Partly cloudy, low around 31.
• Saturday: Sunny, high near 50. Saturday night: Mostly clear and calm, low around 28. That’s the coldest night in the forecast.
• Sunday: Sunny, high near 55. Sunday night: Low around 30.
• Monday: Mostly sunny, high near 57. Monday night: Low around 30.
• Tuesday: Sunny, high near 61. Tuesday night: Low around 30.
• Wednesday: Sunny, high near 64. Wednesday night: Low around 33.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 67. Thursday night: Low around 39.

There are no weather alerts for Dunlap this morning. The days at the end of the list are six and seven days out, so they could still shift a few degrees.

What it means for you: This week is like a woodstove that’s finally caught. The first few minutes are chilly, then the whole room warms up. Saturday night is the last really cold one, so check the animals’ water Sunday morning and give potted plants on the porch a night in the garage or under a sheet. After that, the dry, sunny afternoons are good ones for outside chores. The rain gauge will likely stay dry, so keep an eye on ponds and troughs.

👉 Read more (NWS Dunlap forecast)

🏛️ The Same Steady Hand at the State Ag Department

This is statewide news that reaches every farm in the valley.

• Who: Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn announced today, Friday, Nov. 13, that Andy Holt will be her commissioner of agriculture. It’s her second commissioner appointment.
• Not a new face: Holt has been agriculture commissioner since Gov. Bill Lee appointed him in October 2025. Before that, he was a deputy and assistant commissioner at the department and served 10 years in the Tennessee House.
• Why it matters: The governor-elect said agriculture and forest products together are Tennessee’s largest industry category, at $103.8 billion.
• Also in Nashville (a proposal): State Sen. Page Walley of West Tennessee introduced a bill that would make companies that handle farm data get a farmer’s written permission before selling it to a third party. That could include crop yields, soil conditions and livestock information. The permission would have to be separate from the usual terms of service. A bill has to pass the legislature before it becomes law.

What it means for you: Think of it like keeping the same feed store manager. You already know where things are and who to call. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s programs, such as the cost-share and water quality grants, keep going under familiar leadership. As for the data bill, it’s worth knowing about if you use a tractor, app or service that collects farm information. No action is needed today.

👉 Read more (Chattanoogan.com: Holt appointment) · 39 News: Farm data bill · TDA newsroom

🌱 Conservation Money Is a Line. Get In It Early.

This is regional news from neighboring Warren County that explains how the federal programs work here too.

• What they said: The Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District told local radio this week that it’s pushing for more state and federal conservation funding. A local working group met to set priorities, mostly cover crops and grazing projects for cattle and sheep farmers.
• How the money is awarded: The district’s office manager, Neil Walker, said the two big USDA programs, EQIP and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), have been “really hard to get” the last year or two. Applications are scored and ranked, and “you rank against people in other counties.”
• Who decides: He said the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service makes the final call on which programs each county offers.
• State money too: Conservation districts also run Tennessee’s Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund, which helps landowners keep runoff out of creeks and streams.
• The date here: NRCS Tennessee’s date to apply for fiscal 2027 conservation funding is Friday, Nov. 20, one week from today.

What it means for you: It’s like the line at the sale barn scale. Showing up with your paperwork ready doesn’t guarantee the best price, but it sure beats showing up late. If you’ve been thinking about cross fencing, a water system, a heavy-use pad or cover crops, call the Jasper USDA Service Center (3709 Main St., 423-942-2244) this coming week and ask what you need to apply.

👉 Read more (UCNow: Warren County conservation funding) · NRCS Tennessee: Nov. 20 date · USDA Service Center locator

🐦 Keep the Backyard Birds Healthy: TWRA’s Feeder Basics

This is statewide advice from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. It’s practical how-to advice, not news.

• Clean on a schedule: TWRA says to clean bird feeders and bird baths with one part bleach to nine parts water, one to two times a month. Rinse and let them dry before refilling.
• Fresh water: Change bird bath water daily. Brush or wipe it clean, rinse and refill.
• Toss the old seed: Throw out old seed when you clean the feeder, and sweep up spilled seed under it.
• Spread them out: More than one feeder means less crowding, which TWRA says lowers the chance of birds passing illness to each other.
• Smart spots: Place feeders at least 10 feet from bushes and shrubs. Tube and suet feeders work well 5 to 6 feet high, and platform feeders about 4 feet off the ground.
• If you see sick birds: TWRA suggests stopping feeding for a few weeks, covering bird baths, cleaning up spilled feed and reporting dead or sick birds on its website.

What it means for you: A bird feeder is a little like a church potluck. Everybody’s welcome, but somebody’s got to wash the dishes. With frosty mornings this weekend, cardinals, chickadees and titmice will be glad for a clean feeder and a fresh drink of water. Ten minutes with a bucket and a brush on a sunny afternoon keeps the show going all winter.

👉 Read more (TWRA: Woodworking for Wildlife and feeder tips) · TWRA: Report a sick or dead bird

🗂️ Farm Paperwork and Dates: A Cattle Report Monday and a Few Last Calls

This is federal and statewide information that applies here.

• Sunday, Nov. 15 (statewide): The last day of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s white oak acorn collection for reforestation.
• Monday, Nov. 16: USDA’s next Weekly Tennessee Cattle and Grain Summary is due. The same day brings the in-person preview of the UT Plateau AgResearch bred heifer sale in Crossville, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.
• Tuesday, Nov. 17: Online bidding on the Plateau heifers closes, with pens starting to close at 10 a.m. CST.
• Thursday, Nov. 19: The next weekly U.S. Drought Monitor map comes out.
• Friday, Nov. 20: The NRCS Tennessee date to apply for fiscal 2027 conservation funding, including EQIP and the Conservation Stewardship Program.
• Tuesday, Dec. 1 (statewide): Deadline for TDA’s water quality grant proposals.
• Monday, Dec. 7: Last day to return FSA county committee election ballots.
• Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2027: Deadline for FSA emergency loans under this year’s drought designation. Sequatchie and Marion are primary counties, and Bledsoe, Grundy, Hamilton and Van Buren are eligible as neighboring counties.
• Monday, March 1, 2027: 2027 Tennessee Farmer of the Year applications are due.

What it means for you: These dates are like rungs on a ladder. Take them one at a time and you’ll get where you’re going without a slip. The Jasper USDA Service Center (3709 Main St., 423-942-2244) serves Sequatchie County for FSA and NRCS questions.

👉 Read more (USDA: Weekly Tennessee Cattle and Grain Summary, PDF) · U.S. Drought Monitor: Tennessee · FSA: Tennessee drought designation · UTIA: Plateau heifer sale

📌 Sticky Notes for the Fridge

• Today, Friday, Nov. 13: Sunny and chilly, high near 47. Low near 31 tonight.
• Saturday night, Nov. 14: Coldest night of the forecast, near 28. Tuck porch plants in.
• Sunday, Nov. 15: White oak acorn collection ends. Check stock water in the morning.
• Monday, Nov. 16: New USDA cattle report. Plateau heifer preview in Crossville.
• Tuesday, Nov. 17: Plateau heifer bidding closes, starting 10 a.m. CST.
• This coming week: Call the Jasper USDA Service Center if you plan to apply for EQIP or CSP.
• Thursday, Nov. 19: New drought map. Warmest afternoon of the forecast, near 67.
• Friday, Nov. 20: NRCS conservation application date.
• Tuesday, Dec. 1: TDA water quality grant proposals due.
• Monday, Dec. 7: FSA county committee ballots due.
• Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2027: FSA drought emergency loan deadline.
• Monday, March 1, 2027: Farmer of the Year applications due.

👉 USDA Service Center locator · Dunlap.Today

✅ Your Farm & Garden Checklist for This Week

• ✅ Give porch and potted plants a warm spot or a sheet on Saturday night.
• ✅ Check the animals’ water Sunday morning after the 28-degree night.
• ✅ Save outside chores for the sunny afternoons next week, when it climbs into the 60s.
• ✅ Keep an eye on ponds and troughs, since no rain is in the forecast.
• ✅ Thinking about a conservation project? Call the Jasper USDA Service Center before Friday, Nov. 20.
• ✅ Wash bird feeders and the bird bath with a 1-to-9 bleach mix, rinse and let them dry.
• ✅ Change the bird bath water every day.
• ✅ Selling calves? Look for Monday’s USDA report before you load up.

Practical rule: Water the stock, wash the feeders and get your conservation call in before the line gets long.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Farm & Garden Glossary

• Commissioner of agriculture: The person the governor picks to run the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
• Governor-elect: The person who has won the election for governor but hasn’t taken office yet.
• Farm data: Information collected about a farm, such as crop yields, soil conditions or livestock records, often by equipment, apps or service companies.
• NRCS: USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, which helps farmers pay for conservation work.
• EQIP: The Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which shares the cost of practices like fencing, water systems and cover crops.
• CSP: The Conservation Stewardship Program, which pays farmers who keep up and expand good conservation practices.
• Ranking: Scoring applications against each other so the money goes to the highest-scoring projects first.
• Soil and Water Conservation District: A local county office that works alongside NRCS and runs some state conservation programs.
• Bleach solution (1 to 9): One cup of household bleach mixed with nine cups of water.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How cold will it get this weekend?

The Dunlap forecast shows a low around 31 tonight and around 28 Saturday night, the coldest of the stretch. Lows stay near 30 Sunday through Tuesday nights, then 33 and 39.

When does it warm up?

Afternoons climb each day: 55 Sunday, 57 Monday, 61 Tuesday, 64 Wednesday and 67 Thursday, with sunshine and no rain in the forecast.

Is there a new agriculture commissioner?

No. Governor-elect Marsha Blackburn named Andy Holt, who has been commissioner since October 2025, to keep serving in her administration.

Is the farm data bill a law now?

No. It was introduced by State Sen. Page Walley. It would have to pass the legislature before it becomes law.

Why is it hard to get EQIP or CSP money?

Applications are scored and ranked, and a neighboring county’s conservation office says you rank against people in other counties. An early, complete application gives your project its best shot.

Where do I start a conservation application?

Call or visit the Jasper USDA Service Center at 3709 Main St., 423-942-2244. NRCS Tennessee’s application date is Friday, Nov. 20.

How often should I clean my bird feeder?

TWRA says once or twice a month, with one part bleach to nine parts water. Rinse and let it dry before you refill it, and change bird bath water daily.

Where should I hang a bird feeder?

TWRA suggests at least 10 feet from bushes and shrubs, with tube and suet feeders about 5 to 6 feet high and platform feeders about 4 feet up.

🔗 Other Resources

• National Weather Service: Dunlap forecast
• Chattanoogan.com: Governor-Elect Marsha Blackburn Appoints Andy Holt As Commissioner Of Agriculture
• 39 News: West Tennessee senator introduces bill to protect farmers’ operational data
• UCNow: Warren County Pushes for Increased Conservation Funding
• NRCS Tennessee: Accepting applications for conservation programs
• TWRA: Woodworking for Wildlife (bird feeder tips)
• TWRA: Report a Dead or Sick Bird
• USDA: Weekly Tennessee Cattle and Grain Summary (PDF)
• U.S. Drought Monitor: Tennessee
• USDA FSA: Tennessee drought designation (Jan. 6, 2027 deadline)
• USDA FSA: County committee elections
• Tennessee Department of Agriculture: Newsroom
• UTIA: UT Plateau AgResearch and Education Center Fall Heifer Sale
• UTIA: Applications Now Open for 2027 Tennessee Farmer of the Year
• USDA: Service Center locator (Jasper Service Center, 3709 Main St. · 423-942-2244)
• UT Extension Sequatchie County (170 Church Street, Dunlap · 423-949-2611)
• Dunlap.Today

🏡 Keep Learning, Stay Calm and Come Back to the Porch

One more cold night, and then the valley gets a sunny, gentle week. The state ag department keeps a familiar leader, the conservation line is open for one more week, and the birds out back will thank you for a clean feeder. Small, steady chores keep the whole place running smooth.

When you want the next calm, practical update for Sequatchie Valley readers, pull up a chair at Dunlap.Today.