Robotic Milkers and Precision Livestock Farming on Display

WALLAND, Tenn. — Some very special dignitaries ushered in a new era of dairy research at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture on May 2 at a ribbon cutting and demonstration of UT AgResearch’s new robotic milking technology. Installed at the East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center’s Little River Unit, the new system allows cows to be automatically milked at their own will under a stress-free environment.

Fibromyalgia is a condition in which, essentially, a person “hurts all over.” Difficult to diagnose, fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons and creates tender spots all over the body. In some cases, symptoms have begun to appear after a physically traumatic event, like a fall or car accident; after surgery or an infection; or in the aftermath of severe psychological stress. In other cases, though, symptoms may just build gradually. For some reason, women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men.

Unlike most people, I don’t like quiet. To me, it’s deafening. It’s like a silent roar in my ears. When I was young, there was this one time where the quiet wasn’t just uncomfortable, it was rather eerie.

I have been a church attender all my life. Over the years, I have served as Sunday School teacher, occasional usher, trustee and treasurer. One of the greatest honors of my life was to have once been anonymously recommended as a deacon. I did not pursue that opportunity, but I found it humbling for someone to even have considered me worthy.

Cake mix can make cookie baking easier. This one calls for a lemon cake mix. If you don't have that one, substitute any flavor that well with cream cheese and sour cream. These stir up quickly and do not require chilling..

By Steve Roark
Volunteer, Cumberland Gap National Park

Anyone who has walked in the woods has seen areas of rock or soil covered with a thick, green carpet. Moss often just blends into the forest background and goes unnoticed, but it is an old and venerable life form unique to most plants you find.

Her family, friends, former students and colleagues flocked to the Union County Museum to wish Wanda Woods Cox Byerley a happy 90th birthday.
All in all over a hundred visitors came on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Her birthday was April 13 and County Mayor Jason Bailey, who was also a former student, proclaimed that date “to be forever known as Wanda Cox-Byerley Day in Union County.”

It’s time! Farmers Markets are opening throughout the south, and that includes your Union County Farmers Market. The season will kick off on Saturday, May 6, and we are looking forward to seeing you there.
Come and welcome our new market manager, Deerenda Cooke, and her daughter, Delana Hutchison, assistant market manager. Both the Union County Farmers Market and UT Extension Union County understand the importance of supporting and promoting not just local small businesses and farms, but our families that make up our community.

The Union County Historical Society has opened the doors of the museum every Tuesday for an acoustic music jam. Everyone who plays an instrument, sings from the heart or just loves tapping their toes and clapping their hands to good ole country, bluegrass and gospel tunes is welcome.
The music begins at 6 p.m. and winds down about 8:45.
Recently, Norris Freeway came to play. Musicians come from all parts of the county.
Noted fiddle player Wayne Goforth coordinated the fun and makes sure everyone gets involved.

At the April 24 County Commission meeting, County Mayor Jason Bailey announced that Union County Commission would be taking action on the FY24 Budget at the May 22 meeting. He also noted that the Budget Committee will have two meetings, May 2 at 6 p.m. and May 16 at 7 p.m. to discuss budget concerns.
The May 2 meeting will discuss property for the justice center, voting machine storage, and the possible purchasing of property around the courthouse.