Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs, organized under the direction of the University of Tennessee, are dedicated to the purpose of helping persons become better homemakers and community members. Home Economics activities are carried out through monthly meetings, special interest activities, workshops, mass media, and individual contacts. Union County currently has two very active FCE Groups, Big Ridge FCE meeting on the second Thursday monthly and Sharps Chapel FCE meeting on the third Thursday monthly.

While holiday shopping can get you into the spirit of the season, it’s often accompanied by a nagging feeling that you’re overspending. Listening to that nagging little voice will be the best thing you can do! Busting the budget is a holiday tradition that you may pay for months into the new year. A holiday spending plan can help you feel comfortable and in control, but a common mistake is not considering the hidden expenses that come with the holidays. Here are tips for making sure your budget covers even those hidden costs:

The UT Extension Agricultural Committee is set to meet on November 6th to welcome new members. UT Extension is an off-campus division of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Extension is a statewide educational organization, funded by federal, state, and local governments, bringing research based information to Tennesseans where they work and live. Information is available in a wide array of categories including Ag and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development, and Community Economic Development.

Although the brisk air is blowing, our 4-Hers have hot 4-H camp weather on their mind this season. From October 3-14, 2018, Tractor Supply partnered with Tennessee 4-H holding the Fall edition of the Paper Clover Campaign. The campaign is held biannually at TSC with 4-Hers working by selling paper clovers as a fundraiser to earn scholarship funds to attend 4-H camps. The 4-Hers receive eighty percent of all funds they raise during the campaign towards their personal camp fees.

Tennessee All Stars was established as a recognition program for outstanding 4-H members. Before a 4-Her can become an All Star member, they have to be a member of their local Honor Club. Union County Honor Club is organized and meets monthly on the second Tuesday at the UT Extension Union County. Students, grades six through twelve, are encouraged to join and become more involved in their community through service projects, volunteering, and leadership. All Stars provide service to others through individual and cooperative efforts.

A community thrives on leaders taking initiative and pushing themselves and others to full potential. Leadership Union County (LUC) is a local organization that focuses on developing leaders to help create a unified and progressive community by identifying opportunities and challenges, developing strategies, and providing resources to achieve community goals. LUC’s charter class began in 2000. On September 20th, Leadership Union County is honored to have added six graduates to the leadership program.

It is tradition to ring in autumn with trips to the fairs across East Tennessee, especially as a 4-Her. This year the Tennessee Valley Fair was held from September 7-16 with much participation from Union County 4-Her’s. On Thursday the 13th, Union County sent two teams of 4-H members to the Kerr Building to bake biscuits for fair goers all the whilst learning themselves, cooking together, kitchen safety, mannerisms, and more. The teams were assisted by volunteer leader Elizabeth Tindell as well as a few parents who stayed to help as needed.

It is common knowledge that 4-H is a club for kids to learn valuable skills and get their hands dirty. This summer, fifteen Union County 4-Hers were busy carrying water, cleaning cages, and gathering eggs as they indulged in the 2018 Poultry Project. They each received twenty chicks in early March and raised the birds from one day old to young laying hens at twenty six weeks old.

As the departure of the summer season nears, autumn is slowly breezing in on the dewy sunrise mornings and early sunset evenings. It is well-known that attending the Annual Union County Heritage Festival is a kick-off to the magical fall season here in Union County. The festival attracts all realms of people as there are vendors, contests, foods, and demonstrations to meet every expectation.

A combination of enthusiastic 4-H members, sewing machines, and several summer afternoons results in fun, learning, and handmade items. This summer eight 4-Hers came together periodically in July and August at UT Extension Union County to learn how to use a sewing machine and fashion sewn articles.