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UT Extension agent highlights 4‑H, cost‑share awards and local economic returns to Giles County
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Summary
William McCullough, representing the Giles County Extension (University of Tennessee), presented the office's annual report, citing 102 youth in local 4‑H programs, about 146 farms awarded roughly $487,000 in Department of Agriculture cost‑share funds in 2025, and volunteer contributions that support extension services.
William McCullough of the University of Tennessee extension delivered the Giles County Extension annual report, outlining program activity, funding sources and local economic impacts.
McCullough told the commission that the county extension office receives the bulk of its funding through the University of Tennessee and state sources while the county contributes support for local operations. He described the office’s three main program areas—agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and 4‑H—and highlighted that about 102 youth are currently enrolled in local 4‑H programs, primarily grades 4 through 6 with additional older participants and homeschool involvement.
On farm support, McCullough said 146 farms received approximately $487,000 in Department of Agriculture cost‑share awards in 2025; he cited an estimated $6 returned to the local economy for every $1 awarded and calculated an approximate economic benefit in the low millions generated by those cost‑share funds. He also described master-gardener volunteer contributions and reported volunteer hours and community‑service production tied to extension programming.
"We're proud of the work that we do," McCullough said, framing extension activities as education-driven and emphasizing local partnerships and volunteer support that extend services into jails, schools and community events.
He offered the board a written annual report and invited questions; no formal action was taken on the report itself.
