July is here and that means it is Tennessee Beef Month and National Grilling Month – a match made in heaven and it sounds like it’s time for a celebration at the Union County Farmers Market! Please take a moment this month to appreciate the hard work of our beef farmers and savor the flavors they bring to our tables.

Did you know Tennessee has approximately 37,000 beef producers. Our market always has locally raised beef available at Ropes and Wings Ranch, Seven Springs Farm, and Thompsons Tender Beef; and our 4H Senior Grill Team is planning to help us all celebrate Tennessee Beef Month at the market on Saturday, July 29. They are entering the All Star Beef Backer Contest to encourage each of you to “beef up your summer” and eat more of that locally raised, healthy beef!

The 4H Senior Grill Team will light their charcoal grills early so they will have samples of their wonderful grilled beef available throughout the market. Want to learn more about how to use a charcoal grill for the best results? Why beef is truly a healthy choice? Various recipes and seasoning for beef? The 4H Senior Grill team will be able to help you with these questions and more! They are seasoned experts at grilling as they have been successful competitors for several years. Not only will they have tasty samples available, they will have other giveaways also.

Interested in joining the 4H Grill Team? UT Extension Union County is looking for younger members to carry on the torch. Plan to spend some time in the grilling arena on that Saturday and sign up to learn more. This year’s 4H Grill Master Challenge will be held September 19. Younger 4H’ers may join the team but decide to delay the Challenge until September of 2024 when they feel as if they are truly ready. Until then, 4H’ers get to practice grilling and eating all their delicious grilled experiments. If you are a 4H parent, just think about all the help you will get at home preparing dinners!

Beef is an important agricultural product in Union County. 4H’ers have the opportunity to work with the beef industry through the Livestock Judging program, they can show cattle (congratulations to Max and Van Richardson for a superb job at Beef Expo), they can learn to judge different cuts of meat in the Meat Judging program and, of course, they can have fun by joining the 4H Grill Team.

How can you help support the Union County 4H Grill Team win the All-Stars Beef Backers Contest? Be sure to follow along as they celebrate by sharing recipes and beef information on both the Union County Farmers Market Facebook page and the UT Extension Union County Facebook page. They may even ask you to share your favorite recipes or farm stories! Then, of course, join them at the market to sample some of our locally raised beef!
Whether you prefer a juicy steak or a burger on the grill, or perhaps it’s that hearty roast or other comfort food, there’s no denying that beef is a staple of many of our diets. Let’s send out a cheer to all our amazing beef producers and the tasty meals they provide. See you “where our community meets” for this fun celebration of Tennessee Beef Month and National Grilling Month on Saturday, July 29! For more information, please contact: aramse12@tnstate.edu. 865-992-8038.