Tennessee's forests, pastures, and famlands are our classrooms. So are the state's gardens and arboretums, wetlands, and watersheds. The classrooms and teaching programs of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture are as varied as the people they serve. Our programs assist students, farmers, families, 4-H and other youth, agribusinesses, state and federal agencies, consumers and the general public.


Our Vision

We create solutions for everyday life.  We will accomplish this vision by 1) preparing students to make a difference, 2) discovering knowledge which impacts real world issues and 3) connecting with people and communities to help them prosper.

 

Our Mission

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, through its colleges, research and education centers, and county extension offices, serves the people of Tennessee and beyond through the discovery, communication and application of knowledge. The Institute is committed to providing undergraduate, graduate and professional education programs in a diverse learning environment that prepares students to be leaders in a global society. The Institute’s delivery of education, discovery, and outreach contributes to the economic, social and environmental well-being of all Tennesseans and focuses on contemporary problems faced by Tennessee, the nation and the world.

 

Our Values

  • Responsiveness to constituent needs
  • Integrity and mutual respect
  • Transparency
  • Accountability  
  • Science-based solutions
  • Lifelong learning
  • Diversity
  • Civility

 

The Institute of Agriculture is made up of the following four units that provide instruction, research and public service:

AgResearch

Through its research mission, AgResearch is an integral partner to teaching programs throughout the Institute. AgResearch faculty conduct world-class research programs in a variety of areas, including crop breeding and genetics, soil conservation, no-till crop production, cattle reproduction, wood product development and many other areas. It is also the key funding source for graduate assistantships and the research that graduate students undertake in their degree programs. The internship program of AgResearch offers undergraduates unparalleled field experience. AgResearch's The unit's 10 branch research facilities serve as field laboratories for faculty and students, while allowing the public to evaluate research trials and experience gardens and arboretums. Technologies developed by the Institute's researchers benefit producers and consumers alike.

College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

The College welcomes students from across Tennessee, the nation and the world. It offers academic programs in a variety of natural and social science based disciplines that apply to the food, fiber and natural resources systems. For students in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, learning is personal and often hands-on. Student teams provide opportunities for self-directed study, leadership development, and a lot of fun. A new honors research and creative achievements program challenges students to excel. International study tours give graduates an edge in the increasingly connected world of global markets.

College of Veterinary Medicine

The College of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 28 veterinary colleges in the nation. It is also a national leader in creating a collection of virtual microscope slides that students can access from the convenience of their personal computers. New services in equine sports medicine offer students opportunities, as does the expansion of the college's facilities. The College serves pet owners, zoos and the livestock industry; protects public health, enhances medical knowledge and generates economic benefits to the state and nation. Outreach programs engage an array of citizens in learning programs that explore the animal-human bond.

UT Extension

UT Extension has an office in every county of Tennessee. Educational programs offered by University of Tennessee Extension touch the life of every citizen in Tennessee every day. UT Extension delivers research-based programs that improve lives, build stronger families, and strengthen communities. As a partner with local, state, and national agencies and through its statewide presence, Extension provides educational programming and assistance in areas of agriculture, natural resources and resource development, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H youth development.