UT Extension Office- Cocke County

06/05/2026

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has issued temporary animal import requirements following a recent detection of New World screwworm in Texas.

There is currently no indication of an outbreak in Tennessee. This proactive order focuses on education, early detection and prevention to help protect animal health.

New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that can affect warm-blooded animals, especially through open wounds. Animal owners, producers, veterinarians and transporters are encouraged to monitor animals closely, especially wounds and areas around the nose, ears, eyes, mouth and genitalia.

Watch for drainage, discharge, bleeding, swelling, discomfort, lethargy, isolation or unusual odors.

Suspected cases must be reported to the Tennessee State Veterinarian’s Office within 24 hours at 615-837-5120 or [email protected].

To read more about the order, visit:
tn.gov/agriculture/animals/animal-health-resources/alerts.html

06/05/2026

📚🌱 This month’s Book Club pick is here! 🌱📚
Join us for Gather & Grow Book Club, where books meet life skills, food, and creativity!

✨ June’s featured read: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
📅 Monday, June 29th at 6 PM
📍 141 Western Plaza Dr., Newport, TN

Enjoy meaningful conversation, hands-on activities inspired by the book, and time to connect with others in the community.

✅ Free to attend!
👉 Sign up here: tiny.utk.edu/registernow (under “FCS Options”) or scan the QR code on the flyer!
Come grow with us—one book at a time! 🌿📖

06/04/2026

Sign up today at tiny.utk.edu/payonline

Junior High Camp spots are still open for 2026! Reach out to your local Extension office for more information!

06/03/2026

There is one spot left for our Blueberry Honey Vanilla Jam & Scone class! Sign-up now! https://secure.touchnet.com/C21610_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=3041&SINGLESTORE=true

06/02/2026

💧🐴 Hydration Matters: Keeping Horses Healthy in Warm Weather

Proper hydration is essential for digestion, temperature regulation, and overall performance. As temperatures rise, horses can lose significant fluids through sweat—making water intake more important than ever.

🔎 Signs your horse may be under-hydrated:
• Dry or sticky gums
• Decreased appetite
• Dark urine or reduced urination
• Reduced performance or lethargy

✅ Hydration best practices:
• Provide constant access to clean, fresh water
• Offer loose salt or a salt block daily
• Consider electrolytes during heavy work or extreme heat
• Encourage drinking by keeping water familiar when traveling

📌 Tip: A horse may drink 5–15+ gallons of water per day—and even more in hot, humid conditions.

Staying ahead of hydration helps prevent colic, heat stress, and fatigue. Keep those water buckets full!

06/02/2026

🐓🐐🐖🐄 Thinking about raising livestock… but not sure where to start?
Or maybe you’re ready to take your small farm to the next level?

Join us for the UT Extension Small Scale Livestock Short Course — a hands-on, practical 2-day workshop designed to help YOU build confidence in livestock production from the ground up!

✔️ Cattle
✔️ Swine
✔️ Poultry
✔️ Sheep & Goats

You’ll learn:
🔹 Farm setup & facilities
🔹 Fencing & daily management
🔹 Nutrition & animal health
🔹 Marketing & profitability
🔹 Real-world strategies you can actually use at home!

Whether you’re a beginner, homesteader, hobby farmer, or expanding operation, this course is built to give you practical tools and expert guidance to help your farm succeed.

📅 June 17 & 24, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM each day
📍 UT Extension Office – Greeneville, TN
💲 Only $50 (Lunch Included!)

⚠️ Space is limited, so don’t wait to register!

👉 Register here:
tiny.utk.edu/registernow
(Located under “Agriculture Payment Options”)

05/29/2026

💚 May is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

For many in Cocke County, the recent flooding brought back memories and emotions that never fully left after Hurricane Helene. When you’ve worked hard to rebuild, another disaster can feel overwhelming.

Farmers are known for being tough. They’re often the first to help a neighbor and the last to ask for help themselves.

This month, and every month, check on your farmer friends. Especially the quiet ones. The stoic ones. The ones who always say, “I’m fine.”

And if someone you know seems different lately, pay attention. Signs they may be struggling can include withdrawing from family and friends, increased irritability or hopelessness, changes in sleep or eating habits, feeling overwhelmed, increased alcohol/substance use, or talking about feeling like a burden.

Sometimes the strongest thing we can do is check on a neighbor, listen, pray, and remind them they don’t have to carry it alone.

Our agricultural community has weathered storms before, and we’ll weather this one together, too.

Make the call. Send the text. Throw a hand up as you pass. Stop by the farm to shoot the breeze.

No matter the weather or challenges ahead, keep the faith through the hard seasons. There are people who care. There is help.

If you or a farmer you know is struggling, please reach out!

📞 Cocke County Extension Office: 423-623-7531

📞 Farm Aid Hotline: 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243)

📞 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988

05/26/2026

🐴 Tack Room Tuesday: Heat Stress in Horses ☀️

As temperatures rise, horses are at greater risk for heat stress, especially during periods of high humidity. Knowing the signs and taking preventative steps can help keep your horse safe and comfortable.

⚠️ Watch for warning signs:
• Excessive sweating or lack of sweating
• Rapid breathing or elevated heart rate
• Lethargy or weakness
• Reduced appetite

✅ Prevention tips:
• Provide unlimited access to fresh, cool water
• Offer shade and proper airflow
• Use fans or cool baths when needed
• Limit riding and work during peak heat hours

📌 Remember: The heat index (temperature + humidity) is more important than temperature alone. When it climbs, so does the risk.

Stay alert and keep your horses cool this summer!

05/24/2026

🌾🐄 Small Scale Livestock Short Course 🐓🐐
Ready to grow your livestock operation with confidence?

Join UT Extension for a 2-day hands-on course designed for farmers and homesteaders!

📅 June 17 & 24, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Lunch Provided)
📍 Greeneville, TN

💡 Learn how to:
✔ Start & manage livestock (cattle, swine, poultry & small ruminants)
✔ Improve fencing, facilities, nutrition & herd health
✔ Turn your goals into profit with marketing & economic insights

💲 Cost: $50
📌 Registration Deadline: June 12

👉 Register now: tiny.utk.edu/registernow
(Located under “Agriculture Payment Options”)

📍 Hosted at the UT Extension Office in Greeneville

📧 Questions?
[email protected]
| [email protected]

05/22/2026

📣 Book Club Reminder – Happening Soon! 📣
We’re just days away from our next Gather & Grow Book Club meeting, and we’d love to see you there! 🌼

📖 Picking Daisies on Sundays by Liana Cincotti
💬 Join us as we chat about this sweet and meaningful story of love, second chances, and self-discovery—plus enjoy a fun activity inspired by the book!

🗓 This Thursday, May 28
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 141 Western Plaza Dr., Newport
✨ Friendly, relaxed, and FREE—perfect for a night out!
👉 Don’t forget to sign up: tiny.utk.edu/registernow
Tag a friend and make it a night! 💕📚