UT TSU Extension - Polk County

08/31/2026

Great Opportunity for landowners.

Tennessee landowners interested in learning more about generating farm income on property they already own or live on are encouraged to attend any of the five upcoming educational webinars from CPA to be held via Zoom beginning in September. The Farming Where You Live webinars will cover a variety of educational topics relevant to Tennessee landowners. The program especially targets small-acreage landowners, beginning farmers, and timber or forest landowners in Tennessee. However, all interested individuals are encouraged to attend.

Detailed information on the Farming Where You Live webinar series, including a list of session topics and speakers, is available online at tiny.utk.edu/CPAEvents.

Knowing that many of our Tennessee landowners are seeking opportunities to generate farm income on property they already own, the purpose of this webinar series is to provide free educational sessions that will help generate new insight or ideas into utilizing existing farm or forest land to its fullest potential.

Sessions are free to attend, but preregistration is required. Interested individuals may register for the Farming Where You Live webinar series online at tiny.utk.edu/FWYL. Note that a valid email address is required to register for the program.

For additional information regarding registration or webinar sessions, contact Alaina Boyd at the UT Center for Profitable Agriculture at [email protected].

University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture | UT Extension | Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation | Tennessee Department of Agriculture

08/28/2026

Just a reminder about our Poultry show on September 12 at the Showbarn. Registration begins at 9 and show begins at 10. Sale will be begin following the show! Come out and see all the kids hard work! Any questions? Call us at 423-338-4503 or email [email protected]

08/19/2026

Today is National Potato Day! Stop by the 4-H Fair Booth tonight and celebrate with a loaded potato!

08/18/2026

Come and support your local 4H food booth at the Polk County fair! We have hamburgers, hotdogs, BBQ sandwiches, BBQ baked potatoes and BBQ nachos!

07/30/2026

Join us for the Poultry Show and Sale. Saturday September 12th! We will begin at 10am at the Polk County Showbarn! Any questions contact us at 423-338-4503 or [email protected]

07/29/2026

Help Polk County be represented at the State Fair! As of today, Polk County has no entries.

Tomorrow July 30 is the last day to bring your jams or jellies to the UT TSU Extension - Polk County office.

State Fair Jams, Jellies and Preserves Contest

What a great opportunity to showcase your food preservation skills at the Tennessee State Fair in Wilson County this year.

Bring any jam, jelly or preserves you have made this year to me at the Extension office by July 30 and I will get it entered in the fair.

Prize money will be awarded.

Awesome to have our county represented there.

Contact me (423) 338-4503 or [email protected] for more information.

07/22/2026

Our next UT TSU Extension Garden Club meeting will be Tuesday July 28th at 5 PM. We will meet at Oak Grove Baptist Church located at 642 Oak Grove Rd, Benton, TN 37307. Our speaker this month will be Melissa Coffey Extension Agent from McMinn County who will be presenting the Tennessee Smart Yard program. We will also have a representative from the Polk County Fair who will update us on the upcoming Fair and exhibit entries. New and Seasoned Gardeners are invited!

07/20/2026

It is almost Fair Time!

🌟 Showcase Your Talent at the 2026 Polk County Fair! 🌟

Do you have a talent you'd love to share? The 2026 Polk County Fair Exhibit Catalog is now available on our website!

Whether you're an experienced exhibitor or entering for the first time, we'd love to see what you've created. Enter your best:

🧵 Quilts & Sewing
🥫 Canned Goods & Preserves
🌽 Crops & Garden Produce
📸 Photography
🎨 Artwork
🥧 Baked Goods
🌻 Flowers
🧶 Crafts & Handmade Items
…and so much more!

There are categories for all ages, so everyone is encouraged to participate. It's a wonderful way to share your talents, celebrate our community, and compete for ribbons and bragging rights!

📖 View the Exhibit Catalog, entry information, and rules at:
🌐 PolkCountyTNFair.com

🎡 Join us August 17–22, 2026, at the Showbarn in Benton, Tennessee, and help make this year's Polk County Fair the best one yet!

We can't wait to see your creativity on display! ❤️💙🤍

07/20/2026

The 2026 Steak and Potatoes Field Day will be held on Thursday August 20th at the UT Plateau Research and Education Center in Crossville. Registration begins at 8:00. Program is from 8:30 to 11:30 with a sponsored lunch at 11:30.

07/15/2026

Cyclospora Outbreak

• Cyclospora is the shortened name for the parasite, but cyclosporiasis is the intestinal illness it causes.

• The current outbreak has around 1.645 people officially reported since May 1, 2026. The CDC is still investigating another 5,000 potential cases. 34 states have reported cases, with 141 hospitalizations and no deaths. There is still no identified source, but high-risk foods include bagged lettuce and salad mixes, cilantro, parsley, berries, vegetable trays, coleslaw mixes, and fresh peas.

• Symptoms can range from low-grade fever, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps to none at all. Typically, symptoms begin about one week after exposure.

• If someone suspects that they may have this illness, please encourage them to contact their primary care provider for stool testing ASAP. They will also need a round of antibiotics, as this illness can continue to relapse and return if not treated.