The Union County Jr. High 4-H team recently competed in the Eastern Region Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Skill-A-Thon, held in McMinn County. This hands-on contest gives youth the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in areas such as food and nutrition, child development, clothing and textiles, and housing and interior design. Participants rotate through a series of skill stations where they solve real-world problems and apply what they have learned.

Farmers and cattle producers in East Tennessee will soon have the opportunity to take part in the Fall 2025 Master Beef Producer Program, offered through UT/TSU Extension Union County.

The program provides research-based education designed to help cattle producers improve herd health, management practices, and profitability. Completion of the program will fulfill the educational requirements for the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP), which allows producers to apply for cost-share funding to improve their operations through Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

KNOXVILLE, TN — Families, farmers, and friends are warmly invited to an evening of food, fun, and fellowship at the much-anticipated Annual Picnic & Auction, hosted by the Knox-Union Cattlemens Association on Saturday, August 2, 2025. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit 4-H programs in Knox and Union Counties, helping to cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Union County 4-H member Miranda Boucher recently attended the 2025 Eastern Region 4-H Fashion and Design Conference, held June 3-5 at the Edgewater Hotel in Gatlinburg. She was joined by Union County Family and Consumer Science Agent, Abigail Thomas, for the exciting three-day event.

By Shannon Dewitt, Union County Extension Office, and Shirlee Grabko

On June 16, the Knox Union Cattlemen’s Association held a Twilight Beef Tour and Farmland Preservation Presentation at Seven Springs Farm to Table. Union County Agriculture Extension Agent Shannon DeWitt began the meeting with introductions and a recognition of the contributors.

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!

What a festive and fun way to wrap up 2024 with our FCE family. A huge thank you to Carol Pratt for graciously hosting our December meeting. Your warmth and hospitality made the gathering extra special.

We’d also like to give a big shoutout to everyone who brought delicious finger foods to share — from savory bites to sweet treats, everything was absolutely delightful!

Longtime Union Countian Jessica Montoya has achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the 41st person in the United States to be admitted into the Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians as a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Surgery. With fewer than 50 veterinary surgical nursing specialists nationwide, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) is proud to have two of these esteemed professionals on its team.

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.