Clay County UT Extension Director Randall Kimes (right) welcomes new hire Tracey Hackett (left) to the post of 4-H and Family and Consumer Sciences agent. (photo submitted)

CLAY COUNTY-Tracey Hackett was hired as a UT Extension agent and will assume duties in both 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences it was recently announced by Randall Kimes, UT Extension Director here.

“I am anticipating good things to come from the addition of Tracey to the Clay County Extension program. She is highly qualified, has lots of experience, but more importantly has a burning desire to make a difference,” stated Kimes.

“I’m enjoying the opportunity to get to know the Clay County community, and I’m ready to get to work for the benefit of the people here,” Hackett said.

She is a December graduate of Tennessee Tech University (TTU) in Cookeville, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in human ecology with a concentration in food, nutrition and dietetics. She also holds a previous degree in English-journalism from TTU and has nearly 15 years of prior experience in that field.

As a Family and Consumer Sciences agent, Hackett will serve the county’s adult population by leading programs and presentations in the general areas of food, family, home, health and money. She will also serve as adviser to the county’s Family and Community Education clubs, membership of which is open to everyone interested.

“Both 4-H clubs for youth and fce clubs for adults are great ways for people to come together and to share knowledge and life experiences that ultimately teach others a wide variety of important skills. I’m excited to be working for an organization whose purpose is to provide such positive opportunities to so many people,” Hackett said.

In her 4-H Youth Development responsibilities, she said she looks forward to encouraging Clay County’s youth toward greater levels of citizenship, leadership and other important skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

For more information about UT Extension programs and activities in Clay County, call 931-243-2311.