It has been a brutal week for Tennessee weather. Many of our Extension offices have been closed or operating on limited schedules due to the snow, ice, and lower than normal temperatures. Hopefully next week will bring us back to our normal temperatures for this time of year.

The state 4-H office is already looking ahead to March 18-21.We are hard at work putting together this year’s Tennessee 4-H Congress pro- gram. It will be an exciting event held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Murfreesboro. In addition to our normal congress activities, we will have one exciting change.The Performing Arts Troupe will debut a new multimedia performance based on the history of the Tennessee River.The Agricultural Communications students at UT Knoxville are working under the direction of Dr. Arthur Leal to create a video backdrop for the performance. More details on registration and other logistics for 4-H Congress will be coming out soon.

We are also excited that Dr. Joe DePietro, University of Tennessee President, will be highlighting several Extension programs in his upcoming speech to the state legislature. He will be referencing the Health Rocks program as one example of how the University is helping address the “Opioid Crisis” in Tennessee.

Until it warms up, stay warm and safe and enjoy reading the newsletter!

Dr. Richard Clark