UTIA Retirees Association Newsletter

March 2025

Warren Gill, UTIA Retirees President

The Days Are Getting Longer

It’s hard to tell, but this old world of ours is tilting the other way as it spins around the sun. This means the daylight hours are getting longer and the nights are getting shorter. But that doesn’t seem to help much right now—especially if you’re having a hard time.

I was having a hard time a few years ago. My precious wife of forty years had cancer, and I had spinal stenosis so I was always living somewhere between discomfort and pain. I needed surgery, but taking care of Lissa came first.

I was still doing my department chair thing at MTSU, which I had always enjoyed, but it wasn’t fun anymore. I was over fifteen PhD faculty members and every one of them thought they were smarter than me—most of ’em probably were but it didn’t matter—I still had to act like I was in charge.

For some of us, winter can become a time when the stress is almost too much to handle. My problem was that I was too busy to notice that stress was wearing me down. I started having gut issues. I wasn’t sleeping very well and was drinking too much.

I’ve always been that guy everybody hates because I couldn’t wait to get up in the morning so I could begin another wonderful day. That went away. I dreaded mornings because I knew I would feel bad and the challenges of the day looked insurmountable.

I’ve written before about how animals hide pain. Predators look for animals in distress because they are easier to catch and kill so animals do their best to look healthy whether they are or not. People also hide pain, and that’s what I was doing. I was even hiding it from myself.

But I couldn’t fool my best friend, my wife Lissa. She was living through her own depression and pain and had sought professional counseling. Maybe that was why she was able to see that I also needed help. Her voice was kind, but firm, when she said, “You’ve got to go see Cindy!”

Cindy was, and is, an experienced mental health counselor. She had helped Lissa and, despite my skepticism, was soon helping me. Cindy soon helped me figure out what was happening and assisted me in finding the path to recovery. She stayed the course with us through the years of Lissa’s cancer and supported me through the grieving process.

Winter may be difficult for people who are stressed, depressed, or anxious but talking to a trained, experienced mental health care provider can help. They listen with trained ears and open minds. If you don’t know how to find a mental health counselor, ask somebody, like your doctor or your minister. Call your insurance provider for a list of in-network providers. Your employer may help. A friend may suggest someone. Some categories of people, like veterans, have specially trained therapists.

You don’t even need to leave the house if you don’t want to. There are licensed therapists who will meet with you by telephone or video calls. It wasn’t too late for me, and it’s not too late for you!

Deborah Seward, Western Area Secretary

The Western Region Retirees Association met Tuesday, September 10, 2024, for its fall meeting at Lone Oaks Farm, which is the site of the 4-H Camp in Middleton, Tennessee, located in Hardeman County. On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, Western Region retirees met for the Winter Meeting in Jackson, Tennessee, at Mulligan’s Bar and Grill for lunch. Agents donated socks for the homeless shelter and exchanged Christmas ornaments. The spring meeting will be held again in Jackson on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Mulligan’s Bar and Grill for lunch.

Steve Harris, Central Area Vice President

The Central Area Retirees recently met for lunch at the Bell Buckle Café. We missed our newest retiree, John Teague, who had a new grandbaby born that week, but we were fortunate to have Bedford County retiree David Gordon and state president Warren Gill to entertain us. In February, our retiree lunch was held February 13 at Miller’s Grocery in Christiana. In March, our retirees lunch meeting will be on March 13 at Top of the Rock Restaurant in Jasper. We meet most months on the second Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. We welcome all retirees and friends to join us. For more information, contact Steve Harris at sharris@retiree.utk.edu or 931-409-9188.

The date is set for the Eastern Area and state meeting. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 16, for the UTIA Retirees Annual Meeting. The location will be held at the Eastern Region UT Extension Office, 1801 Downtown West Boulevard, Knoxville, TN. The day will begin at 9:00 a.m. with registration, coffee, and refreshments. A detailed agenda will be sent soon. Adjournment will come following a delicious lunch of Knox County 4-H BBQ chicken. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit with former co-workers and old friends and catch up on current happenings at UTIA!

Reservations are $25 per attendee. Please make your check payable to "UTIA Retirees Association" and mail to:

Denise Brandon
Eastern Area Secretary
6329 Gateway Lane
Knoxville, TN 37920

Knox County 4-H uses the funds raised by serving lunch to help send a deserving young person to 4-H camp. The association received a nice thank-you note from the camper who attended last year. An admirable goal this year might be to provide a full scholarship from this association. If everyone coming to the annual meeting comes prepared to donate $10, that goal could be reached. Please consider this opportunity.

Hugh McCampbell will be hosting his seventeenth annual Benefit Veterinary Piano Concert at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Sweetwater Elementary School auditorium, 301 Broad Street. As always the beneficiaries are the Prostate Cancer Foundation, local Boy Scout Troops, and the Sweetwater Valley Citizens for the Arts. On the piano, he plays songs from hymns and Rachmaninov to patriotic songs and Great Balls of Fire. McCampbell also will treat the crowd to banjo playing, singing, and lots of tales. He appreciates those of y’all who have come in the past and hopes to see several of y’all at this year’s concert. He appreciates folks helping him raise funds for these worthwhile causes.

Jamie Jenkins, Western Area, Retired Extension Leader, Fayette County

I was teaching seventh-grade science in early 1974. On one occasion, I was writing on the chalkboard the numbers of 32 degrees F and 212 degrees F and telling the students that water froze at 32 degrees F and that water boiled at 212 degrees F. I also told them that you could not get water hotter than 212 degrees F. Bad communications!

Jimmy, an older student, raised his hand. When I acknowledged him, he said, “Mr. Jenkins, are you sure about that?” I replied, “Yes, and if you have a thermometer at home that will read that high, then you try it.”

Now for a little background to this story. In this seventh-grade class, I hadn’t taught about standard temperature and pressure (STP) or about antifreezes or other additives to water. Also, Jimmy’s father was a truck driver who frequently made long hauls to the West Coast. Most of you probably know that all those big trucks have water (radiator) gauges, and they have high numbers on them.

Anyway, the next day when my class met, I started reviewing the freezing and boiling points of water. Immediately, Jimmy’s hand went up. I acknowledged him, and he said, “Mr. Jenkins, you say that you cannot get water hotter than 212 degrees F?” I replied back, “Yes.” Jimmy said, “My dad does not agree with you!” I said, “Okay, what does you dad say?” Jimmy said, “My dad said that you are as crazy as hell!”

Technically we were both right, and I knew then that I was going to have to become a better communicator to my student or to my future clientele in Extension. It was a lesson that I have not forgotten.

Ken Goddard, Eastern Area Vice President, with contributions from Jamie Jenkins, John Jared, David Lockwood, and Paul Denton

Professor Joe Burns was our state Extension specialist for corn and forage crops. His impact on Tennessee agriculture was tremendous. Growers throughout the state asked questions to Extension colleagues. Their response would begin by stating, “Joe Burns says . . .”

How true were the recommendations from Joe Burns, and they continue to be! Joe had a gift of providing UT Extension facts that could be remembered easily and on which farmers could depend.

A few examples of Joe’s sayings include:

To store quality silage Joe would say, “Silo losses spoilage fight fill ’em fast and seal ’em tight.”

For successfully planting pasture, “Remember, G G! Grass (seed) goes in the ground.” Joe demonstrated by dropping seed into a glass of water . . . tall fescue seed floated while clover sank.

Joe would explain the importance of planting into moist soil. “If it is dry and a cloud is approaching, do not plant before it gets there. Wait for the rain and plant into moisture. If you plant first, the cloud may blow around your field.”

“What about pasture improvement?” a farmer asked. “2, 4, 8, Let’s renovate.” Joe replied. “Add 2 pounds Ladino clover, 4 pounds red clover, and 8 pounds Kobe lespedeza per acre in February.”

Another well-known and remembered saying Joe often used was his description of the “4S pastures” he observed as he traveled the state: “Sagebrush, Saw Briars, Sassafras, and Simmons!”

Joe also said that sometimes you cannot afford “free.” He went on to talk about the seed salesman who gave a farmer some corn seed to plant. The variety was susceptible to the blight and yielded almost nothing. He followed with a slide shown on the projector screen of a toy tractor pulling a trailer with three huge ears of corn. His point was that large ears do not necessarily mean greater yields.

Another slide would show a lime truck in a fog of finely ground lime. One farmer said he liked to see some larger pieces in his lime as it would last longer. Joe said, “Sure it would last longer. When was the last time you saw a limestone mountain melt?”

Once, a farmer asked, “There are several residual corn herbicides rated the same in UT’s weed manual. Which one would you use, Joe?” Joe responded with a story about an “Ole Timer” who dated twins, Nilly and Tilly, his entire life. As the Ole Timer grew feeble, he was hospitalized. A friend asked if he had any last requests as his illness seemed serious. The Ole Timer answered, “I’d like to be buried between Nilly and Tilly, as I love them both dearly.” After a short pause he said, “Tilt me a tad toward Tilly.”

Annually, during in-service training, Joe would remind every agent that the University of Tennessee provided more useful research information from our tax dollars than any other land-grant university. He would close his remarks by stating, “The difference between thinking and knowing is research.”

It has been a pleasure to know and work with so many quality, talented, and unique Extension agents who provided volumes of practical research-based information to Tennessee clientele.

Joe Nichols, Retired Extension Agent, Hamilton County

COVID-19 came to Soddy Daisy with urgent instructions to stay home. Don’t go anywhere.

After some thought I chose to use my time and talents to grow produce in my backyard for the hungry. I checked with the Soddy Daisy Food Bank and Daisy Farm Supply for suitable plants to grow. Ky 31 pole beans seemed to be the better choice since seeds were available. I planted two rows and began my search for netting and materials for the vigorous climbers. Blossoms began to show as the plants topped the 6-foot trellis. At first, I was happy taking a 5-gallon bucket of green beans to the Soddy Daisy Food Bank. The volunteers welcomed the fresh produce and started putting double handfuls in grocery size bags and placing them gently in the boxes of food to be picked up by families. Before the vines overtopped the trellis and headed for the ground, harvest had expanded to two 5-gallon buckets twice a week and my limit. A friend, Jim Lane, came to help, and we tried to keep up. The volunteers also welcomed half buckets of shelly beans.

Turnip greens got a great response when I asked the volunteers. I got more help to harvest. We picked directly into grocery bags, which held about 1 pound. When I asked the volunteers about how much to put in each bag, their response was both revealing and rewarding: “Just put what suits you. These folks trade and even cook for each other. They don’t waste any!” He also said, “You don’t know how many folks you are feeding.”

The gardening story continues. Volunteers at Burks United Methodist Church started to “Grow-a-Row for Joe” after two musicians at the church composed a song about Grow-a-Row and sang it to the congregation. The Burks Produce Table has received more than $11,000 in donations to feed the hungry, but that should be another story.

John Jared, UTIA Retirees Association

As I sit and watch the snow come down on this tenth day of January, I’m reminded of numerous experiences I encountered over the years during days similar to this one. Some were more fun than others, but all bring back lots of good memories.

As a youngster, I always looked forward to the cold snowy days when schools would be closed. My mom was a teacher and my dad a farmer, so my family was able to just stay home and enjoy. The thing I remember most about those days was playing Rook with my parents and sister into the wee hours of the night, enjoying popcorn, Christmas goodies, and hot chocolate. Tracking rabbits in the snow brought excitement, too!

When college days arrived, the Tennessee Tech campus did not close just because of snow. As a commuter, I had to face the ice and slick roads or miss class, which I never did. A silver lining to those driving experiences just might be they helped to prepare me for the many miles I drove on snow and ice while traveling for Extension to conduct winter meetings. As with classes, I never missed a winter meeting.

When my children, Bradley and LeAnn, were young, sledding was the name of the game. Having no money as a grad student to purchase sleds, we just used pizza pans. The pans ended up a little crumpled but still usable. In fact, my wife, Helen, baked pizzas with them for years afterwards, and the pizzas turned out with wavy crust edges that looked original.

I can never forget the time it took 27 hours to drive from Cookeville to Knoxville the day after Christmas. The highway quickly became a sheet of ice, resulting in me and my family spending the night in our car on I-40. The Knoxville mayor’s mother-in-law was traveling behind us, and her car ran out of gas. The only option was to invite her to join my family. She did and my “good friends” in Plant and Soil Science couldn’t wait to tell others I had spent the night with the mayor’s mother-in-law. Guess it did make an interesting story.

Finally, my most cherished memory of snowy days was the time I met my future wife during a snowy weekend in Knoxville. It was love at first sight for me, but not so fast for Helen. I had to do some serious convincing, but I finally won her over. She became the most “precious” thing in my life for 40 years prior to her passing. Thank you, Lord, for snowy days!!!

Written by Ruth Henderson McQueen, adapted from a speech she delivered on October 14, 2024, in Boise, Idaho, during her induction into the National 4-H Hall of Fame

"At least once in your life you will need a doctor, a policeman, a lawyer, and a minister—but every day, three times a day, you will need a farmer." (author unknown)

Today is a good day to have a history lesson but without a test! Perhaps the most significant legislation of the last 250 years occurred in 1862 and 1890, when the Morrill Act established the land-grant university system. However, you may not know that the first time it was passed in 1859, President Buchanan vetoed it.

It was reintroduced, and President Abraham Lincoln signed the first Morrill Act into law in 1862. It would be followed by the second in 1890. What was so astounding about this legislation? It was innovative, forward- thinking legislation that has not only impacted the lives of the people here today but has significantly transformed both American agriculture and higher education and also the skills of the general public.

What is the land-grant mission? To provide practical education without excluding classical and other scientific studies. Education would no longer be just a liberal arts education for the elite but include the everyday, common person:

A great leap forward came in 1914 with the passage of the Smith-Lever Act that established the Extension service. It is interesting to note that in one early publication, perhaps the 1914 Yearbook of Agriculture, one of the duties of an Extension agent was to be a privy inspector!

Also, in the early 1900's came the evolution of the corn and tomato clubs into the 4-H program, that organization that has had such a positive influence in the lives of so many of us. It is interesting to note that these groups came into being in large part because adults were reluctant to change and adopt recommended practices. However, the children learned and then shared the information with the rest of the family!

The benefits to society have been immeasurable. My life-long journey started in the fifth grade as a 4-H member at Philadelphia Grammar School (Loudon County, Tennessee) and has continued through college degrees, an amazing professional life and decades of volunteerism to UTIA. All of us should remember those mentors, teachers, agents and volunteers who are responsible for where we are today. I am a product of the land-grant university system and owe a debt that cannot be repaid except to ensure that it exists for the next generations. A great harvest remains in the field.

Drucilla Ray, Cumberland Area Secretary

Being grand marshal of the Monterey Christmas parade was the best way to finish 2024. I've been in a lot of parades, as I played snare drum in our high school band. As a volunteer in my hometown, I've helped organize parades and even make floats. This is my first time as a grand marshal.

When we hosted our Cumberland area retirees in Monterey, I got to meet our president, Warren Gill. He, too, is a writer of newspaper columns, as I am also. We have started exchanging our articles. I learned he, too, was chosen for his hometown Christmas parade as grand marshal.

I was overwhelmed at the crowd of people who lined our main street to watch our parade. They hollered and waved at me, and I didn't have a clue who they were. They were so bundled up to stay warm, I couldn't see their faces. Yes, it was a cold night, and it was a long parade. But I was honored to serve.

It just goes to show you that UT Extension retirees are some of the best volunteers in our Volunteer State. I had my wave down perfectly. I asked one of our city aldermen if my reign is for a year. He said yes, so I decided I might do some reigning by waving at our citizens while hanging from the side of the garbage truck. And, of course, I suppose if they have a welcome spring parade, I'll be there. My 6-year-old great-granddaughter got to ride beside me and, oh, the sweet memories we made.

Deborah Seward, Western Area Secretary

Warren Gill served as the Grand Marshal of his hometown’s Petersburg Christmas Parade. The theme of the parade was ‘Christmas Cowboy.’ Under Warren’s sophisticated exterior, he admits he’s a cowboy at heart!

Warren Gill moved back to Petersburg after a 50-year career as a professor at the University of Tennessee and department chair at Middle Tennessee State University.

Since coming home, he has become active in many ways around Petersburg, including leading the renovation of the iconic Morgan School building, which is currently the home of the Petersburg Community Library, the Morgan Cultural Center, and the site of the successful Our Town Fair and Colt Show.

Most recently, the cultural center held a hurricane relief musical event that raised much needed food and hygiene items and $7,283 for the people of East Tennessee who were so devastated by the floodwaters.

Warren also is a writer and has published two books, Cane Creek Days and Princess of Horses. He is due to publish his third book, Solomon, in 2025. He also writes for the popular Lion’s Club’s Petersburg News and a weekly column for the Elk Valley Times and the Marshall Post.

Besides leading the Petersburg Community Cultural Coalition, Warren is active in the Petersburg First United Methodist Church, the Petersburg Senior Citizens Center, and the Petersburg Lion’s Club. He is also president of the UTIA Retirees Association and the Farm Animal Care Coalition of Tennessee.

Warren, along with his brother, Alan Gill, and sister, Gloria Meadows, operate the historic Greer-Gill farm near Petersburg. Gill lost his beloved wife, Lissa, four years ago and is most proud of their son, William, a lawyer in Knoxville, and daughter, Greer, who is an outreach coordinator for the United States Department of Agriculture.

We are saddened to report the death of these former UTIA Retirees

Deepest Sympathy is extended for the death of these UTIA Retirees’ family members:

A new page has been added to our website that outlines benefits available to University of Tennessee retirees. Please visit the page on our website to learn more.