March is always a special time for UT Extension offices across Tennessee as we celebrate Extension Month, highlighting the vital role Extension plays in strengthening families, supporting agriculture, and empowering youth. UT Extension Union County is proud to serve our community by providing research-based education and hands-on learning opportunities for farmers, families, youth and community leaders.

Union County’s own 10-year-old Reed Reno has excelled in the 2024 show season, achieving impressive results in the Tennessee Swine Show Circuit (TSSC) for 4-H swine exhibitions. Representing Union County across multiple divisions, Reed’s dedication and skill have set him apart in competitive categories.

The Union County Heritage Festival showcased remarkable talent and skill from both youth and adult participants in this year's 4-H Youth and Adults Exhibits. The annual event featured a variety of categories, from sewing and needle art to canned goods and farm-fresh eggs. The Union County community came together to celebrate the hard work and creativity of its members.

Three Union County 4-H youths proudly represented their county at the inaugural Eastern Region Goat Show, held at the Tennessee Valley Fair last month.
Competing for the first time in this prestigious event, these young participants demonstrated skill, dedication and sportsmanship across multiple categories.
In the Showmanship competition:
- Madison Cole earned 2nd place in the Senior Level I division.
- Briar Smith secured 4th place in the Junior Level division.
- Reed Reno captured 3rd place in the Explorer Level division.

Union County 4-H members recently showed off their grilling talents in two exciting events, displaying their culinary skills and competitive spirit.
1st Annual Union County 4-H Grill Team Competition
Last month, local 4-H members gathered for the Fall Palooza at the Union County Farmers Market for the inaugural Union County 4-H Grill Team Competition. These talented young grillers, split into two divisions, impressed the crowd with their mastery over the grill.
Junior Division Results:
- 1st Place: Harlynn Dodd (poultry)
- 2nd Place: Aspen Davis (pork)

The Union County 4-H annual Chick Chain Auction took place at Trevor Jones Livestock Auction, and it was nothing short of a success. Despite the forecast hinting at rain, the skies stayed clear throughout the event, allowing the auction to proceed without a hitch—though we were well-prepared with covered accommodations.

Truett Davis, a member of Union County 4-H, took home first place in the Youth and Talent Contest at the Appalachian Fair last month. There were seven contestants, ranging in age from 12 to 21. Truett was the youngest participant at 12 years old. He has taught himself piano over the past couple of years, and only just last week, began formal instruction with a piano teacher. He played "Rush E" and the audience was delighted.

Community service is such an integral part of 4-H. Both our Honor Club and All Stars group are designed to promote community service, and all of our clubs participate in service projects. They range from sending cards to those that are homebound or at Willow Ridge, to serving a meal for the veterans of Union County, to removing non-native invasive plants at Big Ridge State Park—a real variety!

Excitement filled the air at the plaza of the UT Alumni Memorial Hall on May 16 as 4-H Clover Bowl teams from all over East Tennessee gathered. Teams of four or five 4-H members and their parents chatted, snacked and quizzed each other while waiting for the competition to begin.

On April 11, 4th and 5th graders from Maynardville, Paulette, Big Ridge, Sharps Chapel and Luttrell elementary schools gathered at Horace Maynard Middle School to compete in the Union County 4-H Clover Bowl. Each team previously won their in-school contest to qualify to represent their school in the county contest.