Shelby County Extension highlights farm academy, master gardeners and youth programming

Dr. Christopher Cooper, county director for Shelby County Extension (UTSU Extension), briefed the commission on April 8 about the extension's programs, staffing and outreach numbers.

Cooper described the county's Ag and Natural Resources programs, a seven-month New Farmer Academy that issues a certification, master-gardener workshops and 4-H youth development that brings thousands of young people to the Agra Center each year. He said volunteers contributed roughly 24,000 hours last year and staff estimate an economic volunteer value of about $85,000.

Cooper also said many extension programs are free; fees apply to some specialty trainings such as commercial poultry certification and the seven-month farmer academy. He encouraged residents to call the extension office for guidance on backyard poultry, raised beds and other home-gardening questions and noted the extension maintains a large library of short educational videos from pandemic-era pivoting.

"Our mission is to improve the lives of our citizens here in Shelby County through research-based information," Cooper said, summarizing the office's community outreach focus.

Commissioners asked about camp fees and funding; Cooper said junior camp costs about $350 and culinary camp about $300 and that the county's budget submission includes a county share just over $400,000 for extension operations, supplemented by UT and TSU funding.

Outcome: the presentation provided background ahead of budget discussions and commissioners expressed support for leveraging extension programs.