Extenion History

The Impact of Electricity in 1946

Submitted by Carol Pratt on Tue, 10/08/2024 - 10:12

In 1946, Agent Angie Fugate conducted demonstrations for members of the Homemakers Clubs, showcasing new electric stoves and cooking appliances, including pressure cookers. She explained how these appliances operated differently from traditional wood cook stoves. Fugate also taught techniques for freezing foods using the new electric freezers and demonstrated the use of electric sewing machines, which had replaced pedal-operated models. Additionally, she provided guidance on gardening, lawn beautification, and chicken care.

The Beginning of 4-H

Submitted by Carol Pratt on Tue, 08/20/2024 - 12:01
The first 4-H Clubs, referred to then as Corn Clubs, were organized by J. W. Kyker in 1918. Twenty-four boys enrolled in the project, eleven completed records. The eleven completing records were Charles & Tommy Ousley, Elmer Dunn, Raymond Monroe, Ralph & Roy Tarver, Lowell Stooksbury, Glen Irwin, Sherman Mitchell, Plumer Loy and Ted Sharp. The Corn Club winner was Lowell Stooksbury, who produced over 80 bushels of corn per acre at a cost of 14.6 cents per bushel. He grew Tennessee Red Cob. The picture was t

The first 4-H Clubs, referred to then as Corn Clubs, were organized by J. W. Kyker in 1918. Twenty-four boys enrolled in the project, eleven completed records. The eleven completing records were Charles & Tommy Ousley, Elmer Dunn, Raymond Monroe, Ralph & Roy Tarver, Lowell Stooksbury, Glen Irwin, Sherman Mitchell, Plumer Loy and Ted Sharp. The Corn Club winner was Lowell Stooksbury, who produced over 80 bushels of corn per acre at a cost of 14.6 cents per bushel. He grew Tennessee Red Cob. The picture was taken on the M.C. Dunn farm south of Maynardville. Other boys in the picture include Roy Acuff (front row left) Tad McDonald and Lillard Wallace. J.W. Kyker, Union County's Emergency Demonstration Agent, is in the back row on the right. Clay Patrick is in the front row on right.

J.W. Kyker, the first UT Extension Agent in Union County in 1918, found it difficult to get the local farmers to come together to better educate themselves at new farming techniques, presented by the University of Tennessee’s Agricultural Department. So he began to target the next generation by starting the first Union County 4-H Boys Club. He enrolled twenty five boys, using them to educate the adults. The first clubs were known as “Corn Clubs”. Note there is a photo of this group inside the Union County Extension Office.