By Abigail Thomas

Have you heard of FCE clubs? Perhaps you have heard of the homemaker’s club. Family & Community Education clubs (FCE), formerly known as the homemaker’s group, have been around for a long time.
While 4-H clubs have been a way of building community and skills among youth throughout Tennessee history, FCE clubs have been doing the same for adults. The goal of FCE clubs is to strengthen the home and community by improving the quality of life of individuals and families through continuing education, leadership development and community service.
Here in Union County, we currently have one FCE club that meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Working closely with the UT Extension Family & Consumer Sciences agent, Abigail Thomas, members come together to learn skills, create and do service for the community.
Recently, members gathered at the Union County Extension Office and learned how to cook hot tamales. The workshop was taught by FCE member, Glenda Cooke. The next upcoming program is vinyl decal art; where we work on a couple projects using the Cricut cutting machine. If you are interested in attending the March meeting, please bring a Yeti or another type of drinking cup to put a decal on! Also, bring a covered dish and the recipe to share with group!
FCE is a great way to stay active in the community, have fellowship with friends, eat great food and learn tips and tricks to make our families and communities stronger.
FCE clubs are open to all community members! Just like 4-H, FCE members can participate here in the county, but also can participate on the state and national level if they would like. Would you like to know more about FCE? Would you like to receive an FCE newsletter with upcoming meetings, events, recipes and more? Call 865-992-8038 or email athomas@tennessee.edu. We hope to see soon!