The Union County 4-H Public Speaking Contest showcased the talent and hard work of our youth, highlighting their dedication to honing skills that will help shape them into future leaders. Held at Horace Maynard Middle School, this year’s competition was a resounding success, and we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made it possible.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our judges, who generously gave their time and expertise to evaluate the speeches. Your support is invaluable, and we are deeply appreciative of your role in encouraging these young participants.

Get Your Limited-Edition TN State Swine Show Shirts – Now Online!
Due to the weather at the event, we have extra TN State Swine Show shirts featuring 4-H and FFA logos! These shirts are perfect for showing your support for youth in agriculture and make amazing gifts!
Available Options:

Hoodies: tiny.utk.edu/Hoodie

Long Sleeves: tiny.utk.edu/LongSleeveSwine

These shirts are available in a variety of sizes and are the perfect keepsake or gift for any 4-H or FFA supporter. Don’t miss out on this limited opportunity!

Throughout the years the Union County Homemakers have assisted the Agents in the Extension Office.

Retired Agents Bill and Debbie Morgan have helped with the Home School 4-H Programs. Bill has taught classes on how to make Blue Bird house and Debbie teaches sewing classes. They do so much more and our county benefits from their lessons.

The Swine Program, established in 1943 in Union County, began with twenty-six 4-H members raising pigs. Over the years, the program has thrived, with participants showcasing their livestock at the Union Stock Yards.

The Smoky Mountain Homeschool 4-H Club met at Big Ridge State Park on Tuesday, October 24th. The club started the meeting off with Mr. Bill Morgan giving a demonstration on how to build a bluebird house, how to maintain it, and why bluebirds are beneficial to our environment.

by Beth Bergeron
Our 4H Outdoor Adventure project group is open to students in grades 4 through 12—all 4H members.
Our goal is to provide fun experiences in the outdoors while inspiring awe, and learning to love and care for this beautiful world with which we have been blessed. This group kicked off their fun adventures at Big Ridge State Park last November. They rotated between archery, hiking with Ranger Josh and environmental games.

In the Senior High Division, contestants gave two speeches February 12 at the UT Ag Campus. The first speech was a prepared speech of the 4-H member’s chosen topic, but had to relate to 4-H. Next, the participants competed in the Extemporaneous Contest with an assigned topic and only two minutes to prepare.

Union County Business & Professional Association awarded scholarships to three Union County High School Graduates in 2019. Recipients spoke at the BPA June meeting and thanked the membership for their scholarships. Ethan Dyer received the Service Scholarship for performing over 200 hours of volunteer time to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and another 100 hours at Milan Baptist Church and as a coach for Union County Youth Basketball. He will attend Lincoln Memorial University and plans to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Business.

Nashville, Tenn. – Meradeth Whitley has been named the 2019 June Dairy Month Chairman for Union County.

Whitley will be honored May 30 at the Tennessee June Dairy Month Kickoff Event at Battle Mountain Farm in College Grove. The event includes recognition from Celeste Blackburn, president of the American Dairy Association of Tennessee.

The official kickoff celebration recognizes Tennessee 4-H members’ efforts to promote June Dairy Month in Tennessee. The event is co-sponsored by The Dairy Alliance, 4-H and the Tennessee Farm Bureau.

Hello Union County 4-H Members, Friends, and Family, Welcome back to school and a new year with Union County 4-H! Decorating a hay bale at the TN Valley Fair has become a long-standing tradition with Union County 4-H Members. This year, we have one opportunity to decorate ONE hay bale for our county. Therefore, we will have a contest among different Union County 4-H Groups to win the County Idea Contest. In many years past, we have had Honor Club, Hog Club, Horse Club, Smoky Mtn Club all want to decorate a hay bale.