Marshall County Mayor's Office

UT Extension

The UT Extension Office provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture. With an office in every county, UT Extension delivers educational programs and research-based information to citizens throughout the state of Tennessee. Working with farmers, families, youth and communities, Extension helps improve people's lives by addressing problems and issues at the local, state, and national levels. To learn more visit the UT Extension Office Website.

Contact Information:

Terri Orr, Director
Phone: (931) 359-1929
230 College Street
Hardison Annex
Lewisburg, TN 37091

Marshall County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Updates June 2026

FSA Update:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency has designated 29 Tennessee counties as natural disaster areas due to severe drought conditions, making emergency assistance available to eligible agricultural producers. This designation allows the FSA to provide emergency loans that can help producers recover from losses, replace essential equipment or livestock, reorganize farming operations, and refinance certain debts.

The designation applies to counties that experienced prolonged severe to exceptional drought conditions during the growing season. Producers in eligible primary and contiguous counties across Tennessee and neighboring states have until January 6, 2027, to apply for assistance.

Primary Counties Eligible:
Cheatham, Chester, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Fentress, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lewis, McNairy, Macon, Madison, Marion, Maury, Montgomery, Perry, Robertson, Sequatchie, Stewart, Sumner, Tipton, Trousdale, Wayne, Williamson, Wilson

Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:
Benton, Bledsoe, Cannon, Carroll, Clay, Crockett, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fayette, Franklin, Gibson, Giles, Grundy, Hamilton, Haywood, Henry, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marshall, Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Rutherford, Scott, Shelby, Smith, Van Buren, Warren

On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center. 

USDA New World Screwworm

I’m sure that everybody has been following the news about New World Screwworms being detected in the US last week. Right now, the best thing that TN producers can do is be vigilant when checking livestock and pets. You will find some supplemental information attached to help you know what to look for and how to report a suspected case if it does happen. Make sure to check animals that go off feed, have any unusual wounds, or are acting lethargic. If you have any questions, please reach out to your local vet or me.

UT Beef and Forage Center Update:
 https://vectorvbdwatch.tennessee.edu/cochliomyia-hominivorax/
https://utianews.tennessee.edu/learn-about-the-new-world-screwworm/

YouTube Video by Dr. Lew Strickland:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmPDi8MeFbY

USDA:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm

Pesticide Recertification

We are nearing the end of the Private and Commercial Pesticide Recertification period. Giles and Marshall County will be holding classes over the next two weeks, where producers will be able to receive three points for attending.

The Giles County class will be held on June 16th at the Giles County Ag Park from 5 pm- 8 pm.

The Marshall County class will be held on June 23rd at the UT Extension Office from 5 pm- 8 pm.

State Fair Hay and Field Crops Contest

The TN State Fair is just around the corner, so I am going to be looking for entries in the Hay and Field Crops to take to the State Fair. Marshall County is the Two-Time defending State Legume Grand Champion, and I would really like to try to take the Grass Hay Grand Champion this year also. I know we have producers that do an excellent job producing hay in this county, and I really want to show off what we do here. If you are interested in entering, just let me know. I will be glad to come out and help you pull the entries.

Entries have to be in before August 9th, and I will be taking the Marshall County Entries to the state fair on August 11th.

There is one additional category for this year in celebration of the 250th Birthday of the USA. We are going to have a most patriotic farming photo contest. To be eligible, you have to include one of the crops that enter the Hay and Field Crops contest. It can be anything from tractors cutting hay while flying an American Flag to Round Bales with Red, White, and Blue net wrap. If you have any questions, please let me know.

TN State Fair Jams and Jellies Contest

We are looking for the best home-canned jams and jellies to enter in the State Fair for 2026. We will be taking in entries and then delivering them to the State Fair in August.

TN State Fair Jam/Jelly/Preserves Entries
Class 1 - Jam, Jelly, Preserves-Canned
Lot (Pint or Half-Pint)
  • Blackberry Jam
  • Blueberry Jam
  • Strawberry Jam
  • Cherry Preserves
  • Peach Preserves
  • Pear Preserves
  • Plum Preserves
  • Strawberry Preserves
  • Apple Butter
  • Peach Butter
  • Plum Butter
  • Apple Jelly
  • Blackberry Jelly
  • Blueberry Jelly
  • Grape Jelly
  • Mint Jelly
  • Peach Jelly
  • Pepper Jelly
  • Plum Jelly
  • Raspberry Jelly
  • Marmalade, any kind
  • Conserves, any kind

Drop off your entries by July 31st at UT Extension Marshall County to be transported to the TN State Fair.
Contact Terri Orr, FCS Agent, with any questions. terorr@utk.edu 931-359-1929

TDA AgTrack Cost Share and Ag Enterprise Fund information

The upcoming deadline for the current round of AgTrack Cost Share Fund applications is June 30, and for Ag Enterprise Fund (AEF) applications is July 10. Please help us get the word out about these funding opportunities and help us identify any projects in your respective counties that may be eligible for the funding. More information and details are available at:

AgTrack Cost Share Program

Agricultural Enterprise Fund - TN Department of Agriculture           
 
PDF
Southeastern Hay Contest

While we are talking about collecting hay entries, I want to make a plug for entering hay in the Southeastern Hay Contest as well. This is a contest open to hay producers all across the Southeast, and would be a real nice bit of marketing if you can say your hay won or placed in this contest. I am going to attach the rules for the contest.

Entries have to be submitted before September 1st.

The samples for the contest have to be collected with a hay probe, and then we will also collect a display sample in a 1-2 gallon Ziplock bag.

Download "2026-SE-Hay-Rules.pdf"