By Steve Rickman
Extension Agent
Happy New Year to everyone in Chester County. 2022 is the year to take advantage of multiple educational opportunities available through UT Extension. Now is the time to register for these agriculture classes. Most will be offered in an online zoom session format, accessible from the comfort of your own home. Some of you may choose to do this on your phone in the truck or the cab of a tractor. 2020-2021 has forced us to do things different. With this difference lots of opportunities are now available online that were previously only done in face-to-face meetings. Convenience and health safety are at the forefront of our minds now. For those out there that prefer face-to face meetings, or do not have internet access, do not worry. Some of these classes will still have face-to-face meetings available.
Tennessee Master Horse Program: January 14-March 25 (Thursdays 6-7:30 p.m.)
Master Small Ruminant Producer: January 26-March 30 (Tuesdays 6:30-8 p.m.)
Tennessee Master Farm Manager: January 25-February (Tuesdays-Thursdays 6 – 7:30 p.m.)
Tennessee Master Beef Producer: February 8 March 10 (Tuesdays-Thursday 11 am-noon)
Tennessee Master Row Crop: (Credit hours available online, agriculture meetings/trainings)
Here in Chester County the Tennessee Master Beef Producer Program will be offered through face-to-face meetings in the classroom, as well has hands-on-training at a local cattle farm. The dates for Master Beef are January 27-29 (Thursday – Saturday). Tennessee Master Row Crop Program offers farmers several different opportunities to gain credit hours and certification. For example, Dicamba trainings will be held in February locally throughout the county. Multi-county row crop meeting at First Farmers Coop in Lexington in February. West TN Grain Conference in Dyersburg is February 3. Check with your local UT Extension agent for qualifying credits and assistance for both of these programs.
There is almost something for everyone. Please contact us at your local UT Extension office here in Chester County at 989-2103 immediately if you would like to register for a class, or just need more information. Deadlines are fast approaching for all of the winter classes. If you did not see a class to fit your needs, give us a call or email me srickman@utk.edu and I will help you find one. It could be gardening, forestry, pond management, pet care, and others. Follow us on Facebook at UT Extension-Chester County for all news/events related to UT Extension.
