Opening Day, Friday May 12th! Come visit the ONLY producer / local farmer s market in Rutherford County to open for the 2017 season. Meet your favorite vendors and find out what is new for this year. Tuesdays & Fridays 7am until 12 noon! Free Classes begin at 9am Here is what is on the schedule for May: 05/12 Beekeeping 101 05/16 Adding Rabbits to your homestead 05/19 A $10 Bush & A $30 Hole: Correctly Planting Trees & Shrubs 05/23 Organic and Sustainable Gardening Techniques 05/26 Tomato Time 05/30 More Matters! 06/02 Home Water Conservation Making the Most of it! Tennessee NRCS Provides EQIP Assistance to Address Pasture and Hayland in Counties with Severe, Extreme, or Exceptional Drought Conditions Sign-up Deadline is May 19, 2017 NASHVILLE, April 7, 2017 As a result of the drought issues faced by Tennessee s pasture and hayland producers, USDA s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing financial and technical assistance through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Drought Special Sign Up to help address natural resource concerns on damaged land in counties with D2 (Severe), D3 (Extreme), and D4 (Exceptional) drought conditions as designated on the U.S. Drought Monitor map dated November 22, 2016. Conservation practices available to producers through this special sign up include: Forage and Biomass Planting, Critical Area Planting, Access Control, Prescribed Grazing, Fence, Livestock Pipeline, Pumping Plant, Spring Development, Water Well, Watering Facility, and Heavy Use Area Protection. Interested producers are encouraged to call or visit the local Natural Resources Conservation Service office to apply or to learn more about drought assistance. The office is located at 315 John R. Rice Blvd. Suite 150, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 or call (615) 893-9295 Ext. 3. The deadline to sign up for this special drought initiative is May 19, 2017. Additional program requirements and information about EQIP is available on the Tennessee NRCS website at www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov. EQIP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns on agricultural and forest land.
Junior 4-H Camp Junior High 4-H Camp Open to any Rutherford County child that is currently enrolled in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade. June 26 through June 30, 2017 Cost $315, includes transportation Open to older youth that have completed grades 6-8 May 29 - June 2, 2017 Cost: $290 Other Camps to check out Interior Design Target Smart Contact: Barbara Davenport bdavenp4@utk.edu Rutherford County Extension Office 315 John R. Rice Blvd, Suite 101 Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (transportation NOT included!)
Girl Talk Girl Talk encourages both mother and daughter to apply the skills learned to develop an open communication system within the family. The three sessions of Girl Talk June 12, 19 & 26 will begin at 6 p.m. at the Rutherford County Extension office, 315 John R. Rice Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Pre-registration is required Fee for all sessions is $50 for each adult / child combination. Fee includes all three sessions, class materials & goodie bags for each participant. Class size is limited to 12 mother (aunt, sister, grandmother)/daughter pairs. For more Information, or if you have questions about the session please call: 615-898-7710 or e-mail Carla Bush, cybush@utk.edu. The best thing this program did was set me up as my daughter s source for answering questions that she had. She heard a term at school and came home and asked me what it meant. Mother participant I thought it was going to be all gross but it was fun. I loved the games and prizes. Girl participant Historic Trail Tour August 18, 2017 The Rutherford County Quilt Trail Tour will be held Aug. 18, 2017. Cost is $30.00 and departure will be at 9:00am from the Lane Agri-Park Community Center, 315 John R. Rice Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN. The tour will visit several historic farms and locations in Rutherford County where barn blocks (painted quilt patterns) have been hung for all to see. The designs are often old family quilt patterns thus preserving both a historical and sentimental value for the farm families in the area said Carla Bush, Extension Agent, who will be leading the tour. Beside local farms there will be shopping stops at Ferrell Hollow and Readyville Mill with walks reasonable in length. There will be a catered lunch served at the Cripple Creek Presbyterian Church. To find out how to register for this tour or for more information call Rutherford County Extension 615-898-7710. Food Preservation College Learn the art and updated science of food tion. preserva- Session I - June 28 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Home Food Preservation Equipment Needs Low Acid Foods Jams & Jellies Cost $20 pre-register, class size limited due to hands-on learning Session II - June 29 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Freezing Drying Pickling Pressure Canning Cost $20 pre-register, class size limited due to hands-on learning Learn all about the how and why of preserving food at home. These workshops focus on food safety, types of equipment and best research-based practices for quality results. This is a great class for beginners and those needing a review. Contact the UT/TSU Extension
Congratulations to all our 2016 4-Hers and Volunteers! Congratulations to Tim and Kristi Miller for receiving the 2016 Volunteer of the Year award! This award recognizes and honors a volunteer who goes above and beyond for the Rutherford County 4-H program. It is also based on the involvement, leadership & initiative of the volunteer. Ms. Amy Willis (4-H Extension Agent) said The archery program could not exist without the leadership and dedication of the Millers. I am so thankful that I can count on them. They are a huge asset to Rutherford County 4-H and the archery program. Outstanding Explorer Kristi and Tim spend many of their nights and weekends coaching archery. In 2016 alone, the have taught over 40 archery class sessions, reaching over 100 youth. Tim and Kristi also volunteered their time to help coordinate the State 4-H Jamboree. The Miller s have volunteered their time at several of our 4-H events. We appreciate the time and effort that they give to our 4-H program as a whole. Thank you to Tim and Kristi for your support, we appreciate all you do. School of the Year Buchanan Elementary-Winner Samantha Benson and Josie Bush Michael Hickman, Principal Friend of 4-H award Outstanding Junior 4-H'er Winner -Belinda Arender Winner Kaleigh Victor and Margaret Aldrich. Senior High Level I Senior High Level II Outstanding Junior High 4-Her Outstanding 4-H er -Jessika Benson Outstanding 4-H'er--Lindsey Parsley Outstanding 4-H er--haylee Ferguson 2016 Teen Leaders 2016 Adult Volunteers
Rutherford County was well represented at the recent Central Region Livestock and Meats Judging Contest at MTSU. In the Meats ID Contest, participants must identify the species, wholesale cut, retail cut and cooking method for several cuts of beef, lamb, and pork. Rutherford County had a teams compete in both the Junior High and Senior High Divisions. The Junior High team placed 1st in the region. Team members included: Haylee Ferguson, John Bury Neely, AB Brandon and Foster Wingler. In addition, Kyle Benson and Julie Bush competed as individuals. Several members were also recognized for their individual rankings: Haylee Ferguson-1st, AB Brandon-4th, Kyle Benson 5th, John Buryl Neely 6th and Foster Wingler 9th. The Senior High team placed 5th in the Region. Team members included: Jessika Benson, Jason Benson and Lindsey Parsley. In the Livestock Judging Contest, participants must evaluate classes of beef, swine, goats, and sheep on commercial or breeding qualities. Junior, Junior High, and Senior High participants must also answer written questions about the classes. Senior High members must also give oral reasons on two classes. Rutherford County had one Junior Team and two Senior High teams compete at the Regional Contest. The Junior Team, comprised of Bauer Burch, Skilar Burch, Rebekah Houge and Lauren Wingler, placed third. The Senior High B Team placed 1 st in the region. Team members included: Savannah Frazier, Jessie Hickerson, Montana Wright, and Bridget Robertson. This team will represent the Central Region at the State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Knoxville. The Senior High A Team placed 6th. Team members included: Lindsey Parsley, Tayton Hudson, Savannah Scott and Jacob Tipton. Several Senior High members were recognized for their individual rankings. These members include: Jessie Hickerson-2nd, Lindsey Parsley -8th, and Montana Wright 9th. ANNUAL CLOVER DRIVE HELPS LOCAL 4-H Every spring and fall since 2010, Tractor Supply Stores in 49 states have partnered with 4-H to raise funds to support LOCAL club activities. This years spring promotion will be held April 26 through May 7. By contributing $1 at check out you will be helping Rutherford County Youth participate in 4-H programs, camps, activities, clubs and more! Thank you! For supporting our 4-H youth programs! UT-TSU Rutherford County Murfreesboro, TN 37129 615-898-7710 rutherfollow us on : Office will be closed May 29th 2017 MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATE HONOR REMEMBER Extension, 315 John R. Rice Blvd., ford.extension.edu