UT TSU Extension-Smith County

09/30/2026

🐓🍀 2026 Smith County Chick Chain Show & Auction 🍀🐓

Thank you to everyone who came out last night for the 2026 Smith County Chick Chain Show & Auction!

We had an AWESOME turnout with 24 4-H’ers, along with many family members, friends, buyers, and 4-H supporters from our community. We are extremely proud of each of our 4-H’ers for the hard work and dedication they have put into their poultry projects this year!

🏆 CONGRATULATIONS to Kayeden Hostettler, who was named Grand Champion with an impressive pen of Red Star hens, and Everett West, who was named Reserve Champion with a great pen of Black Star hens!

This year’s Chick Chain participants were Weston Kennedy, Jimmie Nolan, Sarah Kenny, Hunter Carlton, Lucas True, Willow Lawrence, Charlotte Boyce, Jake Myers, Everett West, Grayson Mobley, Charlotte Driver, Scarlett Hicks, Rylee Jones, Lawson Dillehay, Jasper Stinnett, Kayeden Hostettler, Walker Crawford, Kyler Yerge, Scarlett Carlton, Oakley Lawrence, Callie Butler, Hannah Reeder, Jay Driver, and Aubrey Hicks.

At the conclusion of the show, each pen of birds was auctioned off to an eager crowd of buyers. We are so thankful for everyone who supported our 4-H’ers by purchasing birds!

A big thank you to Trent Jones with Putnam County Extension for serving as our judge and taking the time to explain what he was looking for throughout the judging process. This made the show an even greater learning experience for our 4-H’ers!

We also want to give a special thank you to Mike Sircy and Smith Farmers CO-OP for their continued support of our local 4-H program and these outstanding young people.

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to Turner Harville for serving as an excellent auctioneer for the evening and helping make our sale a success!

We are incredibly thankful for all of the 4-H’ers, families, volunteers, community supporters, buyers, and Extension staff who helped make this year’s Chick Chain Show & Auction possible. Your support provides opportunities for our young people to learn, grow, and gain hands-on experience in agriculture through 4-H.

Another successful Chick Chain is in the books! 🐓🍀

09/29/2026

The application window for the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) opens soon.

Producers may apply online only from Oct. 1-7.

TAEP helps Tennessee farmers improve their operations, strengthen the state’s agricultural economy and support a reliable local food supply.

Updates for the 2026-27 program year include:

• Reduced minimum requirements for certain sectors
• A new Livestock Fencing program for livestock producers
• A name change from Livestock Solutions to Farming Solutions

Learn more about the program and apply at tn.gov/TAEP.

09/28/2026

If you see our awesome 4-H Agent, Rachel out today, be sure to wish her a happy birthday! We hope you have the best day, Rachel!

09/25/2026

On Tuesday, October 6th, starting at 6pm, the Upper Cumberland Extension Team is hosting our Beef Summit at the White County Fairgrounds at 565 Hale St in Sparta. Our speaker for the event is David Bilderback from UT’s Center of Farm Management and he will be talking about retaining vs. buying heifers in your herd. If you are interested call our office at 615-735-2900 or email [email protected] for more information!

09/22/2026

We are ONE WEEK AWAY from our 2026 4-H Chick Chain Show & Sale! 🐓🍀🐔 We hope to see y'all at the Smith County Ag Center next Tuesday evening. Come ready to bid and take home some high-quality laying hens raised by our Smith County 4-H'ers! 🥚

Calling all poultry people! 🐔🥚🍀If you or someone you know is in the market for some nice laying hens, we would love to see you at our 2026 4-H Chick Chain Show & Sale on Tuesday, September 29th at the Smith County Ag Center.

The show will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the auction to follow immediately after. Black Star and Red Star hens will be available for purchase. All proceeds from the sale support our hardworking Smith County 4-H members in the Chick Chain project.

Please call 615-735-2900 for more information.

09/18/2026

We are having a Master Farm Manager program coming up in Trousdale County! Whether your TAEP certification is expired or you just want the education, everyone is welcome! Cost is $125 for certification and $25 for spouses to attend to cover cost of food. If you are interested, please call our office at 615-735-2900 or email [email protected] to RSVP or for more information!

09/16/2026

Our Caney Fork Farm Tour is just around the corner! We will be taking a tour of Caney Fork Farms on Tuesday, October 6th from 11-1pm! If you are interested or have any questions, please call our office at 615-735-2900 or email [email protected] to RSVP! Spots are limited, so sign up soon!

09/15/2026

We are two weeks away from our first 4-H Homeschool Club Meeting of the school year! Our group will meet at 10 a.m. at the Smith County Ag Center on Tuesday, September 29th. Our 4-H Homeschool Club is open to all 4th-12th grade students, and we would love to see you there! At our first meeting, we will go over what to expect from the 4-H year and elect club officers. Help us spread the word! Questions? Call 615-735-2900. 🍀

09/11/2026

Smith County Producers! We have an event coming up at the Paschall farm on Monday September 21st from 5-8pm! Everyone is invited and a free meal! We will have speakers from Knoxville coming to speak on different topics such as W**d Management, Forage Quality, and Soil/Hay Testing. If you would like to attend, please call our office at 615-735-2900 by September 17th to reserve your spot! Hope to see you there!