Mary Draper
County Director
Mary Parker Draper is the Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent and County Director in Smith County. As a Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Mary works in the areas of family, food, home, health, and money. She received her bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Technological University in 2015 and began her extension career shortly after. She graduated with her master’s degree from the University of Tennessee Martin in 2019.
Mary advises all seven of Smith County’s Family and Community Education clubs. As a community-oriented individual, she participates in many clubs and organizations in Smith County. She is currently involved in Smith County Health Council, Smith County Fair Board, Smith County Extended Learning Advisory Committee, the Caney Fork Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Keep Smith County Beautiful Committee. Mary is a graduate of both Youth (2010) and Adult (2016) Leadership Opportunities of Smith County and has served on the Leadership Opportunity Smith County Governing Committee since 2023.
Mary along with her husband, Justin, and children, Ellie and Parker, reside in the Tanglewood Community of Smith County. Mary is grateful for the community partners and county officials support that help make Smith County Extension thrive. We are excited to continue to serve our farmers, families, and 4-H’ers.
UT Extension
We are an extension of the University of Tennessee working in Smith County to provide Real Life Solutions in agriculture, family and consumer science and 4-H. We work with youth, families, and land owners to provide education and solve problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the UT Extension office do?
UT Extension serves the citizens of Smith County with educational programs in the areas of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, Community Resource Development, and 4-H Youth Development. We are an outreach branch of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, providing research-based solutions and information to the citizens of Tennessee.
How much do your services cost?
The majority of services we provide are free of charge. We go on farm visits to answer questions and provide recommendations without charge. Identification of weeds, insects, and diseases are also done through our office without a fee, and we have hundreds of research-based publications which are free as well. 4-H is our Youth Development program which is free to join.
We do charge a fee for some classes, as well as lab fees for soil testing and forage analysis.
What are some of the classes you offer?
Here are a few of the classes we typically offer each year:
- Master Beef Producer
- Master Small Ruminant Producer
- Master Beekeeping
- Pesticide Safety
- Tai Chi for Arthritis
- Dining with Diabetes
- Walk with Ease
- Canning College
What is FCE?
FCE stands for Family Community Education. Members of FCE Clubs make a difference in their community by strengthening individuals, families, and communities through continuing education, developing leadership, and community action.
We have 7 FCE Clubs that meet monthly, as well as a Mailbox Club.
What is 4-H?
Smith County 4-H helps “make the best better” by teaching youth to use their head, heart, hands, and health to make themselves and their community better. Any 4th-12th grader is eligible to join free of charge and take advantage of the many activities our 4-H program offers. These activities include judging teams, 4-H camp, day camps, archery teams, and various project groups. We have a club for home school children, as well as clubs in our local schools.
Can your office help me with grants for my farm?
Yes, while our office does not distribute grant funds, we can provide the educational component that is required for certain grants, such as the Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program.
OFFICE INFO
Business Hours
Address
67 Cookeville Highway, Suite 102
Carthage, TN 37030