The University of Tennessee Extension programs throughout Tennessee are put into place to provide "Real. Life. Solutions." for communities across the state. This concept is widely known and accepted across the county as our Extension agents are often seen working with youth, families, and farmers across the county.
Similarly, Tennessee State University has a Cooperative Extension Program to educate and provide information to limited resource urban and rural communities. Together, UT and TSU work closely to create a diverse number of opportunities for Tennesseans.
Ann Ramsey, Union County’s new Tennessee State University Extension agent, is excited to start a number of diverse program areas for youth in the community. A native of Cookeville, Tennessee, Ramsey has always enjoyed living in Tennessee and engaging with communities across the state.
With interests in wildlife, aquatic biodiversity, zoology, gardening and farming, Ramsey brings a wealth of knowledge and opportunities to students in the community.
This partnership is unique to Tennessee as not many states in the country have these kinds of relationships between their land grant institutions. Tennessee State University has been working for a number of years to add new positions across the state, and when Ramsey heard of the position opening in Union County, she was thrilled.
“I think I speak for the entire office when I say we are very excited to be expanding the Union County staff with the addition of my new TSU position,” Ramsey stated. “The goal of this partnership is to provide more resources for the community.”
With this partnership, Ramsey is excited for the future of Union County as there are many new opportunities for the Extension programs to grow and expand. In the coming months, they will be adding an additional UT 4-H Agent which will put the county in a place it has never been before with two full-time agents dedicated solely to 4-H.
With the addition of two 4-H agents, the Union County Extension Office hopes to enhance and expand the programs and services that are provided to students across the entirety of the Union County School District.
“Some people, even those familiar with 4-H, don’t realize that students can work with 4-H all the way to and through college.” Ramsey stated. “I hope to make it a top priority to spread the awareness and increase participation across the grades in all of our schools.”
Ramsey encourages anyone interested in volunteering to reach out, regardless of knowledge base or interest area. If you members have an interest in a program area and an interest in sharing that passion with youth, they can find a place for you to help.
Ramsey welcomes anyone in the community who is interested in speaking with her or volunteering to help with 4-H programming to go by the office or reach out via at aramse12@tnstate.edu or by calling the office at (865) 992-8038.
“I am so appreciative of the warm welcome I have already received,” Ramsey stated. “I can tell this is a good community full of good people, and that there is a lot of support for our mission and goals for the Union County youth and their families. I look forward to meeting more folks as the school year starts back up.”