March is Extension Month in Tennessee. Extension is a national educational program supported by USDA through the nation’s land-grant universities and administered with funding from state and local governments. In Tennessee, there are Extension offices in each of the 95 counties, and UT/TSU Cheatham County Extension invites everyone to join their local celebration. As a part of Extension Month Celebration 2020, the Cheatham County Extension office will be offering a $10.00 soil sampling fee (regular price $17.00) on up to 3 samples per person. Also, the Cheatham County 4-H Club will be offering $20 off of 4-H Summer Camp Registration on March 20th. Another activity will include a tree giveaway to the first 50 guests on Saturday March 21st, from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Extension office, located at 162 John Mayfield Drive, Suite 110, Ashland City (back side of the Cheatham County Health Department) Other activities will be announced on their website, Facebook page, and Instagram.
An integral part of the land-grant mission, Extension programs are delivered by subject-matter specialists, county agents, and volunteers associated with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) and the Tennessee State University (TSU) College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences.
“Extension Month celebrates the educational outreach, service and economic impact achieved by Extension across the state. I am always encouraged and proud to hear how our county offices use this month to reach new clientele and increase the visibility of Extension,” says Robert Burns, dean of UT Extension. Latif Lighari oversees TSU Extension faculty as associate dean for Extension at TSU.
In addition to the traditional agricultural production recommendations available through county Extension offices, services for all citizens include the state’s award-winning 4-H youth development program including its summer youth camps; family and consumer educational programs; and healthy living courses. The increasingly popular courses for Master Gardeners and gardeners in general, are also conducted through county Extension offices.
UT Extension also performs services for the state’s citizens, including managing the statewide Soil, Plant and Pest Center through which clients can have the quality of their soil and forage analyzed and any insect pest or plant diseases identified. Extension also trains clients in the proper use of pesticides. Contact UT/TSU Cheatham County Extension for more information, telephone: 615-792-4420. You can find contact information online at their website:cheatham.tennessee.edu. The website contains links to many educational publications, as well as local educational opportunities and updates. You can also follow their educational programs and Extension Month updates on Facebook: “Cheatham County – UT & TSU Extension” and Instagram: “ut_tsu_cheatham_extension”
Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions.ag.tennessee.edu