Gardeners garden all year long, even during the holidays!  Here are some tips from Jason Reeves, horticulturist at the UT Gardens, Jackson, to keep your garden fit as the year wanes. If you think Christmas lights are the only way to brighten up your outdoor winter scene, you haven’t met some of our favorite plants. You will get natural holiday decorations ...

Still looking for that ideal Christmas gift for a 4-H member on your Christmas list? Why not give them a trip to 4-H Camp. Even though it is cold outside, it is never too early to begin making plans for summer camp. I know that many 4-H members would love to see a trip to summer camp, wrapped up under ...

Rowena McFalls was selected as the Tennessee 2014 Family & Community Education (FCE) Best of the Best. She received this state honor for her 36 years of service and participation to the FCE organization as well as the community. Rowena served as President of the Midway Club for 15 years, and Sevier County FCE Council President for 20 years. She ...

Looking for ideas for decking your halls and walls?  Here are some tips from Jason Reeves, horticulturist at the UT Gardens, Jackson, for using natural greenery, some of which may be available for free: Prune a little fresh-cut greenery from your landscape. When pruning the greenery, cut back to a branch so as not to leave a stub. When cutting conifers, ...

The Sevier County 4-H Public Speaking Contest was held recently at the Sevier County Courthouse. First, second and third place winners were named at each grade level and included: 4th grade; 1st place – Lilly Carroll, Sevierville Intermediate; 2nd place –Tyson McFall, Wearwood; 3rd place – Natalie Seals, Sevierville Intermediate. 5th grade; 1st place – Grady Branton, Catlettsburg; 2nd place ...

Happy Thanksgiving! As you prepare for the big meal ahead, consider the following turkey tips from UT Extension: What size turkey do I need to buy? When purchasing a whole turkey, purchase at least one pound of uncooked turkey per person. You’ll have enough for the feast and for leftovers too. When should I buy it? Keep in mind that ...

Sevier County 4-H Members recently presented donations from their 13th Annual 4-H Hooked on Helping Hunger project to local food ministries. The boats are docked. The nets are drawn. 2014 has been another outstanding fishing trip for Sevier County 4-H Members. For the past 13 years, Sevier County 4-H members have set sail on a Fall Fishing excursion that benefits ...

Sevier County 4-H recently recognized Jeri Haun with the 2014 Friend of Sevier County 4-H Award. Haun is the Culinary Operations Manager for the Walters State Community College Sevierville Campus and impacted hundreds of 4-H members over the years as a 4-H volunteer. Jeri annually coordinates, teaches and provides leadership to 4-H baking workshops, the Gingerbread House workshop and 4-H Chef ...

The week of Oct. 19-25, 2014 is designated as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, an annual observance spearheaded by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The theme of this year’s observance is “Lead-Free KIDS for a Healthy Future.” Lead poisoning remains the most significant environmental threat ...

More Tennessee farms are inviting the public onto the farm to purchase products. “Selling products directly from the farm can be an effective marketing strategy,” said Megan Leffew, a marketing specialist with the University of Tennessee Extension Center for Profitable Agriculture. However, she cautioned that such efforts should be considered within the whole farm context. “For farms near population centers, ...