EXTENSION

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The official name changed from the UT Agriculture Extension Service to UT Extension. UT has now partnered with Tennessee State University to provide Extension programming. The logo now includes UT/TSU Cocke County Extension.

Terminology has also changed from the traditional. There is no longer a “county agent”. There is a County Director, an Agriculture Agent, a Family and Consumer Science Agent, and a 4-H Agent.

The County Director, who is the office administrator, can be either of these agents depending upon the county staffing plan denoted by UT.

The current staff in Cocke County consists of Orr, the County Director and Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent; Jessica Gardner, the Family & Consumer Sciences Agent; Lena GeFellers, the 4-H Youth Development Agent; Stephanie Maples, the Tennessee Nutrition and Consumer Education Program Assistant, which is funded through Federal Nutrition Grant dollars; and Sabrina McAbee, who is the Administrative Assistant.

Orr mentioned that she is happy to see the office fully staffed now and even more excited about the programming opportunities to come as COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift.

The most visual of the programs in the Extension office is 4-H. The youth component of Extension reaches hundreds of youth, providing them with citizenship and leadership development opportunities.

Programs like livestock judging and 4-H Chick Chain are just a few of the ways they provide opportunities for youth to develop life skills. The 4-H Horse program led by volunteers is a very active part of the 4-H program. This group competes and has won in various Eastern Region and State competitions.

With GeFellers now on board, the 4-H program is expanding to include Wildlife Judging, 4-H Grill Masters, Shooting Sports, and the Outdoor Recreation Project Group, just to name a few. The most exciting new 4-H program is 4-H Adventure Camp, which will be a local opportunity open to all youth in addition to the more traditional 4-H camp that is hosted each summer in Greeneville.

Adventure Camp will include many outdoor activities like rafting, horseback riding, and more! If you are interested in signing your child up for Adventure Camp or any other camps they offer, please call the Extension Office at (423)-623-7531.

The major focus of the Family and Consumer Sciences programming is parenting, nutrition and health. Classes include co-parenting courses, which are mandated for divorcing parents with minor children, healthy eating classes, and food preservation.

A commonly unknown perk of the FCS program in Newport is the testing of pressure canner gauges to ensure user safety. TNCEP programming provides nutrition education to specific clientele as well as nutrition programming to youth in county schools.

The newest FCS program involves partnering with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the creation of Storybook Trail of the Smokies, located in Cosby.

The programming in Agriculture consists of the Advanced Master Beef Program, Freezer Beef Institute, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), Small Fruits Workshop, Tree Grafting, Home Garden Series, Private Applicator Pesticide Certification, Backyard Poultry classes, and many other educational opportunities.

The Agriculture Agent also provides Cocke County Producers, homeowners, and landowners, with up-to-date information on insect, disease, and weed control in their gardens, crops, lawns, and homes as well as planning agriculture enterprises on their property.

The Agriculture Agent assists with the counties livestock producers in applying for cost sharing though the Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement Program (TAEP).

Extension offers a variety of programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, and family and consumer Sciences for all citizens of Cocke County. UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

For more questions concerning Extension Programs in Cocke County, contact Sarah Orr at sorr6@utk.edu or (423)-623-7531.

Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. ag.tennessee.edu.