The Tennessee Residence Kitchen and Cutting Garden, which provides food and flowers for the governor’s home, won first place in the 2015 International Master Gardener Association Search for Excellence program in the category of Best Demonstration Garden. The garden was planned and is cared for by a select team of volunteer Master Gardeners sponsored by UT Extension in Davidson County. Team members include Susan Hiles (’74, kneeling with beans) and Pam Lesikar Nashville (’71), second from left).
The statewide MG program is administered through UT Extension. More than 2,200 pounds of produce were harvested, and more than 3,000 students and visitors touring the garden have learned about gardening and healthy eating. Free teacher training includes how to incorporate gardening into the classroom.
Outstanding Alums Honored
Two alumni were honored at UTIA’s Ag Day 2015. David Lynn (BS ’74, MS ’78,) was the 2015 winner of UTIA’s Meritorious Service Award for distinguished support of UTIA programs. Lynn, senior vice president for financial services for Farm Credit Mid-America, teamed with UTIA to establish the Farm Credit Scholars program for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in 2012.
This program provides experience in agricultural lending and resource management to 20 students annually and includes a scholarship, interstate and international travel and a summer internship. Lynn also led the way as Farm Credit became the first corporate sponsor of the Lone Oaks 4-H Center and Conference Center in West Tennessee.
Veterinarian Dr. Reid Harvey was the winner of UTIA’s Horizon Award, which honors young professionals for early career accomplishments and leadership potential. Harvey holds both a DVM degree from the UT College of Veterinary Medicine and a master’s degree in public health (’10).
Harvey has served as an epidemic intelligence officer focused on foodborne and zoonotic diseases for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He has also been a Congressional Fellow with the American Veterinary Medical Association and plans to stay with CDC as an epidemiologist for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in West Virginia.
Share your mAGic moments
There is no magic without agriculture. In fact, the impact of agriculture can be seen in almost every moment of life. A new campaign is spreading that word through social media, the Internet and grassroots speaking engagements.
A collaborative effort among UTIA, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and the state’s agricultural commodity groups, the TN Magic Moments campaign is in response to the Governor’s Rural Challenge. This 10-year strategic plan calls for raising awareness of the tremendous importance of agriculture and agribusiness to Tennessee’s economy.
Check out the effort online at tnmagicmoments.com or search Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for TNMAGICMOMENTS. You’re encouraged to also share social media posts with your family and friends enjoying a seasonal treat, a game with friends, being outside in the splendor of nature- -the list goes on. Use the hashtag #TNMAGICMOMENTS to show the world how agriculture has a magical role in everyone’s life, including yours.
