March is a special month for Extension offices across our great state as we celebrate Extension Month. Extension is an outreach of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture providing a gateway to education and research-based information for county offices in all ninety-five counties across Tennessee. In cooperation with Tennessee State University, UT Extension works with farmers, families, youth, and communities to improve lives by addressing issues at local, state, and national levels. Extension Month was established in hopes of creating a greater awareness of programming, services, location and ways to stay connected. Reach in Union County will be widened this month as well as support and new contacts gained from stakeholders, elected officials, volunteers, parents, youth, community leaders, and citizens.

Annually, UT Extension Union County holds an Open House in March. This year on Tuesday, March 27th the community is invited and encouraged to drop in for a meet and greet with Union County staff and 4-Her’s between 3 and 6pm (3925 Maynardville Highway). The Countywide 4-H Photography Show entries will be on display and open for a People’s Choice Vote from attendees. Additionally, this year, the Countywide 4-H Baking Contest will be held at the event. Winners from local school contests were invited to participate in the county contest. Luckily, sampling will be available if you stop in for a visit!

Extension offers a wide variety of assistance and educational opportunities for youth and adults. Union County currently has two Extension Agents, a 4-H Program Assistant, and an Administrative Assistant. Shannon DeWitt serves as County Director as well as Agriculture and 4-H Agent. She offers programming including Advanced Master Beef courses twice a year to assist farmers in becoming educated in research based practices in the beef cattle operations. The Beef Quality Assurance program is a one-hour course focusing on animal health, record keeping, and proper cattle handling and is also offered in fall and spring each year in Union County. Additional programming highlights for agriculture include the Pesticide Safety Education Program, support for the Union County Farmers Market, plant, weed, and pest identification, and fruit tree and pruning information. Rebecca Hughes is the Family and Consumer Science and 4-H Agent. She provides assistance to clients relating to family, health, and nutrition. Moreover, she holds Co-parenting Apart and Parenting Piece by Piece classes to parents in need. A series of canning classes are upcoming this spring and summer for those experienced and new to canning. Also, FCE clubs, formerly known as Homemakers, are organized under the direction of the university and are dedicated to the purpose of helping people become better homemakers and community members. The two agents assign 50% of their time to 4-H programming in addition to the 4-H Program Assistant, Beth Bergeron. Together, 4th-8th graders have monthly in-class meetings led by the 4-H staff promoting membership and programming. Ashley Mike is the office Administrative Assistant serving as the initial contact for the Extension Team. Her duties include scheduling office meetings, creating marketing for programs, directing clients as necessary, bookkeeping for accounts payable and receivable, compiling outreach, and record keeping. The office is a well-balanced team that proudly serves our community wholeheartedly.

A wide variety of programs, contests, and clubs are available throughout the county. The livestock program is active year-round with youth showing and judging beef, sheep, poultry, and swine, and growing themselves in responsibility, leadership, humane treatment of livestock, hard work, and teamwork. Consumer education programs are growing including a sewing group, judging teams, and food science programs. 4-H Honor Club provides recognition of 4-H members who have demonstrated consistent leadership ability and active members within the county and continues their involvement thru service projects and work in the community. Many contests are held locally, regionally, and statewide, some favorites include speeches, posters, baking, clover bowl, photos, and demonstrations. 4-H camp is an annual favorite, encouraging 4-Her’s from 4th to 8th grade to attend a week long camp in Greeneville at Clyde Austin 4-H Camp with exciting activities including swimming, shooting sports, fishing, nature hikes, leather craft, woodworking, music, and more. With overwhelming support from the community and donors, Union County 4-H sends several kids to camp each year on scholarship as well to many other events. Camp deadlines for this summer are right around the corner, so if you have interest in sending a child please contact the office to inquire about attendance eligibility and scholarship signups.

At any time, if you have a question feel welcomed to drop in and have a visit with the staff and get to know the resources available to you. Office located at 3925 Maynardville Highway, Maynardville, Tennessee. Contact at 865-992-8038, ashley.mike@utk.edu, union.tennessee.edu, or on Facebook @UT Extension Union County.