How UT and TSU Extension Work in Tennessee
Tennessee Extension is the county-based outreach arm of the state's two land-grant universities, the University of Tennessee and Tennessee State University, according to the County Connections guide. If you farm, raise a 4-H animal or run a garden, there is an office in your county whose job is to answer your question. This guide explains what is there, how it is organized and how to use it.
An Office in Every County
Extension has an office in each of Tennessee's 95 counties, grouped into Eastern, Central and Western regions, with regional offices in Knoxville, Nashville and Jackson. Each county office is led by a County Extension Director, who handles administration, programs, personnel and finance and reports to the regional director. The UT Extension leadership page describes a statewide organization of more than 1,000 staff, with the Office of the Dean in Knoxville and four 4-H Youth Development Centers. It is the outreach unit of the UT Institute of Agriculture, and it is funded by federal, state and local governments.
What Extension Offers
Extension delivers research-based education in four program areas:
- Agriculture and natural resources
- Family and consumer sciences
- 4-H youth development
- Community economic development
Other services named in the County Connections guide include the Master Gardener program, the Pesticide Safety Education Program and nutrition education through EFNEP, SNAP-Ed and TNCEP. County agents are backed by university faculty and subject matter specialists. The guide does not describe a soil testing service, so ask your county office what it offers before you send a sample anywhere.
4-H Youth Development
Tennessee 4-H runs on the motto "Learn by Doing." Members build skills through clubs, special interest groups, afterschool programs and camps, and counties may have volunteer leader groups and 4-H committees. State-level activity in 2026 included 4-H Congress in March, with state Public Speaking and Leadership and Citizenship Portfolio competitions, and Agriculture Day on the Hill on March 17, where 4-H members from several counties brought livestock to the State Capitol. The April 2026 Clover Chronicles newsletter also lists the Tennessee 4-H Roundup for July 20 to 24, 2026. To apply for a program such as the Healthy Living Ambassadors, contact your 4-H agent.
4-H and FFA Livestock
UT Extension administers the state junior livestock shows, and the show handbooks give UT Extension final authority over rule interpretation. The youth livestock program page lists handbooks and forms for dairy, goats, sheep, swine and beef, and the questions go to your local agent. Entries for the state shows are submitted through the local Extension office, and an Extension agent or FFA advisor must supervise tagging. Exhibitors must hold Tennessee Youth Quality Assurance (TYQA) certification.
County pages show how it works locally. The Blount County 4-H beef page warns of a strict timeline for selecting and tagging cattle. Cumberland County's 4-H livestock page lists beef, goat, horse, poultry, sheep and swine projects and gives the office number, 931-484-6743, for getting started.
An Example: Beef Expo Through Your County Office
The 2026 Beef Expo handbook shows how much runs through the county office. Entries were due through the local UT Extension office by May 1, at $10 per head, and incomplete entries lacking the exhibitor, parent or guardian, and agent or advisor signatures were not accepted. Tags are sent to the county Extension office, and the agent or advisor supervises tagging. If a tag is lost, the agent witnesses the retagging and emails the updated information to the state Youth Livestock and Equine Specialist. Market steers had to attend one of five regional tagging days between January 15 and February 7. The Blount County page adds that entry forms, guidelines and results for eastern region shows are posted on the Eastern Region 4-H website.
Tennessee State University Extension
TSU Extension serves the same counties and, per its county page, runs the Tennessee Small Farm Expo and the Tennessee New Farmer Academy, a seven-month certificate program for newcomers, career changers and retirees who want to farm. Its county agents conduct educational sessions, conferences and workshops to meet community needs. Some county offices are staffed jointly, such as the Blount County office listed as UT/TSU Extension.
How to Get Help
- Find your county office through the Extension directory and call before you buy an animal, plant a crop or start a project.
- Bring specifics: the animal species, the acreage, the problem and any photos.
- Ask for the written deadlines, such as tagging days and ownership dates, rather than relying on memory.
- Ask what your county 4-H and Master Gardener programs are doing this season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many county offices are there?
One in each of the state's 95 counties.
Is Extension only for farmers?
No. It also covers 4-H youth programs, family and consumer sciences, gardening and community development.
Who runs the state junior livestock shows?
UT Extension, with entries submitted through county offices.
What is the difference between UT and TSU Extension?
They are the two land-grant university partners in Tennessee Extension and both serve county residents.
Tennessee Listings Covered by This Guide
- South Central 4-H Sheep and Goat Show
Regional 4-H junior sheep and meat goat show at Rotary Park in Lawrenceburg, open to 4th-12th grade 4-H members from south central Tennessee. Next scheduled for July 27, 2027.
927 N. Military Ave, Lawrenceburg, TN | Organizer: UT Extension 4-H Official event details - McMinn County 4-H Market Hog Show
County market hog show for McMinn 4-H livestock members in Athens, a qualifier for the regional and state hog shows. Held each year; the most recent date posted was December 5, 2025.
Athens, TN | Organizer: UT Extension McMinn County Official event details - State 4-H Junior Swine Show
Tennessee 4-H youth show hogs in Cookeville at the State 4-H Junior Swine Show. Held each year; the most recent dates were January 8-10, 2026.
- Blount County 4-H Achievement Night
County 4-H awards evening honoring member projects and portfolios at the 4-H office in Maryville; held each year, most recently March 12, 2026, at 5 p.m.
- 4-H Eastern Region Horse Judging
East Tennessee 4-H members judge horse classes at the Roane State Expo Center in Harriman. Held each year; the most recent date was April 2, 2026.
- Blount County 4-H Clover Bowl Championship
County quiz-bowl championship for 4-H teams at the Blount County 4-H office in Maryville; held each year, most recently April 14, 2026, at 5 p.m.
- Tennessee 4-H Target Smart
Statewide 4-H shooting sports training week held in Crossville; held each year, most recently May 25-29, 2026.
- Wilson County 4-H Beef Show
County 4-H beef show for Wilson County youth, held June 8 in the 2026 show season and a step toward the Central Region beef show.
Lebanon, TN | Organizer: UT Extension Wilson County 4-H Official event details - Central Region 4-H Sheep Show
Middle Tennessee regional sheep show for 4-H exhibitors held in Murfreesboro on June 27, 2026.
Murfreesboro, TN | Organizer: UT Extension 4-H Official event details - Tennessee State 4-H Beef Expo
Statewide junior beef cattle show and contests for Tennessee 4-H members in Lebanon, July 9 to 11, 2026.
- Wilson County 4-H Sheep and Goat Show
County sheep and goat show on July 13, 2026, where Wilson County 4-H members show market animals before regional and state competition.
Lebanon, TN | Organizer: UT Extension Wilson County 4-H Official event details - Central Region 4-H Beef Show
Regional qualifying beef show for Middle Tennessee 4-H members, held July 8 and 9, 2026, in Lebanon just ahead of the state beef expo.
Lebanon, TN | Organizer: UT Extension 4-H Official event details - Tennessee 4-H State Shooting Sports Invitational
State 4-H shooting sports invitational in Crossville for youth marksmen; held each year, most recently July 31 to August 1, 2026.
- Eastern Region 4-H Grill Master Challenge
Eastern Region 4-H cookout contest at the Blount County Extension Office in Maryville on August 19, 2026, with setup the day before.
- 4-H Eastern Region Dairy Show and Dairy Judging
The 4-H Eastern Region Dairy Show and Dairy Judging brings youth dairy exhibitors to Knoxville. Held each year; the most recent date was September 12, 2026.
- Sevier County 4-H Livestock Judging Practice
Weekly Thursday practices from 6 to 8 PM starting September 17, 2026, for grades 4 to 12 learning to rank beef, swine, sheep and goat classes; no animals are needed.
Sevierville, TN | Organizer: UT Extension Sevier County 4-H Official event details - 4-H Down on the Farm
4-H Down on the Farm is a one-day agricultural education event in Knoxville. Held each year; the most recent date was September 15, 2026.
Knoxville, TN | Organizer: Tennessee 4-H Official event details - Anderson County 4-H Youth Development
Anderson County 4-H runs project groups, summer camps, Honor Club, in-school and homeschool clubs and judging teams, with a staff member focused on livestock projects.
100 N. Main St. Room 213, Clinton, TN 37716 | 865-457-6246 Website - Benton County 4-H Market Hog and Chick Chain
Benton County 4-H youth projects include a Market Hog Show, the Chick Chain poultry project and a Country Ham Project, alongside 4-H camp.
236 West Main St, Camden, TN 38320 | 731-584-4601 Website - Blount County Extension Office
The Blount County Extension Office in Maryville is a University of Tennessee Extension site named in the 2026 Tennessee agricultural agents and specialists annual report.
Maryville, TN - Cannon County 4-H Judging Teams
4-H judging program for grades 4-12 in Cannon County covering livestock and meats, poultry, horse, land, forestry, wildlife, dairy and consumer decision making contests.
614 Lehman St., Woodbury, TN 37190 | 615-563-2554 - Clyde Austin 4-H Center
UT Extension 4-H facility in Greeneville that hosts the Northeast Tennessee Beef Expo, livestock conferences, a fossils classroom and youth STEM programming, and is slated for state STEM expansion funding.
Greeneville, TN - Lawrence County 4-H
Lawrence County 4-H news page covering the chick chain poultry show and auction, livestock judging, the science fair and state contest results.
TN Website - McMinn County 4-H Livestock Program
UT Extension program in Athens for youth raising beef and dairy cattle, lambs, hogs, goats, poultry and horses, with county spring beef and summer livestock shows each year.
Athens, TN | 423-745-2852 Website - Monroe County 4-H Animal Projects
Madisonville Extension program covering beef, swine, sheep and poultry projects, including the Monroe County Poultry Show and Sale where pullets are judged and auctioned.
Madisonville, TN Website - Rutherford County Extension Community Center
Rutherford County Extension Community Center in Murfreesboro appears in the 2026 report of the Tennessee Association of Agricultural Agents and Specialists as an Extension facility.
Murfreesboro, TN - Rutherford Farmers Cooperative
Farm supply cooperative serving Rutherford, Cannon and DeKalb counties with feed, fertilizer, petroleum and grain, plus specialists who plan management programs and deliver inputs.
980 Middle TN Boulevard, Murfreesboro, TN 37130 | 615-898-8800 - Sevier County 4-H Livestock Judging Team
Open to grades 4 to 12 without livestock ownership; contests include the Eastern Region contest, Agribition, the Bob Moncier Invitational and the Tennessee State Fair contest.
752 Old Knoxville Hwy., Sevierville, TN 37862 | 865-453-3695 Website - Sevier County 4-H Livestock Project Groups
Project groups for beef, dairy, meat goats, sheep, swine and poultry chick chain, with a swine meeting set for September 28, 2026, and Stockman Awards of $250 backed by the livestock association and Farm Bureau.
Sevierville, TN | 865-453-3695 Website - Sumner County 4-H Judging Teams
Teams in consumer decision making, horse, livestock, poultry and wildlife judging plus FCS Skill-A-Thon, with regionals at the Tennessee State Fair and state judging day in early October.
658 Hartsville Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066 | 615-452-1423 - UT Extension Anderson County Office
University of Tennessee Extension office for Anderson County at 100 N. Main St. Room 213, Clinton. Offers 4-H clubs and judging teams, beef and forage programs, Master Gardener training, and soil testing for Anderson County residents.
100 N. Main St. Room 213, Clinton, TN 37716 | 865-457-6246 Website - UT Extension Bedford County Office
University of Tennessee Extension office for Bedford County at 2105 Midland Rd., Shelbyville. Serves Bedford County with agriculture, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and community resource development programs.
2105 Midland Rd., Shelbyville, TN 37160 | 931-684-5971 - UT Extension Benton County Office
University of Tennessee Extension office for Benton County at 236 West Main St, Camden. Runs 4-H programs including the Market Hog Show, Chick Chain and Country Ham Project, plus agriculture and soil testing help for Benton County.
236 West Main St, Camden, TN 38320 | 731-584-4601 Website - UT Extension Bledsoe County Office
University of Tennessee Extension office for Bledsoe County at 3150 Main St. Suite 100 Courthouse, Pikeville. Courthouse office in Pikeville providing agriculture, 4-H and family sciences programs for Bledsoe County farm families and youth.
3150 Main St. Suite 100 Courthouse, Pikeville, TN 37367 | 423-447-2451 - UT Extension Blount County Office
University of Tennessee Extension office for Blount County at 1219 McArthur Rd., Maryville. Home of the Blount County 4-H office, which hosts county achievement night, Clover Bowl and an annual regional Grill Master Challenge.
1219 McArthur Rd., Maryville, TN 37804 | 865-982-6430 - UT Extension Bradley County Office
University of Tennessee Extension office for Bradley County at 95 Church St. SE, Cleveland. Extension office on Church Street in Cleveland serving Bradley County with agriculture, 4-H and home economics education.
95 Church St. SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 | 423-728-7004 - UT Extension Campbell County Office
University of Tennessee Extension office for Campbell County at Hatmaker Hall Building 555 Main St., Jacksboro. Campbell County extension agents are based in Hatmaker Hall in Jacksboro, offering 4-H, agriculture and family programs.
Hatmaker Hall Building 555 Main St., Jacksboro, TN 37757 | 423-562-9474 - UT Extension Cannon County Office
University of Tennessee Extension office for Cannon County at 614 Lehman St., Woodbury. Cannon County office that coaches 4-H judging teams in livestock, poultry, horse, land and forestry contests and offers farm advice.
614 Lehman St., Woodbury, TN 37190 | 615-563-2554 - UT Extension Carroll County Office
University of Tennessee Extension office for Carroll County at 625 High St. Suite 107, Huntington. Carroll County extension office on High Street in Huntington, offering 4-H clubs, crop and livestock advice and family programs.
625 High St. Suite 107, Huntington, TN 38344 | 731-986-1976 - UT Extension Carter County Office
University of Tennessee Extension office for Carter County at 824 E. Elk Ave., Elizabethton. Carter County extension office in Elizabethton delivering agriculture, 4-H youth and family and consumer sciences education.
824 E. Elk Ave., Elizabethton, TN 37643 | 423-542-1818
Plus 65 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Tennessee directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.