UT Gardens-Crossville, affectionately referred to as the
Plateau Discovery Gardens, is located within the University of Tennessee
Plateau AgResearch and Education C
enter on 70N.
This parcel of land beside the
main building has grown to become a demonstration garden designed for visitors
and residents of the Plateau, and more specifically, Cumberland County. It is a
collaborative effort between UT Plateau AgResearch and Education Center, UT
Extension-Cumberland County, and t
he Cumberland County Master Gardener
Association.
UT Gardens-Crossville...
A Partnership Created Over Time
While each partner overs
eeing the development of the UT
Gardens-Crossville serves its own role, all three function under the University
of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. To better understand the significance of
this demonstration garden, it is important to understand the historical
relationship of the three entities involved.
In response to the Industrial Revolution, The Morrill Act of
1862 established “land grant” institutions throughout the United States to
teach practical agricultural, science, military science, and engineering. Most
of these land grant institutions have become large public universities that
today offer a full spectrum of educational opportunities, as is available
within the University of Tennessee.