When Challenger, the nation’s most famous bald eagle educational ambassador at the American Eagle Foundation in Kodak, needed cataract surgery, caretakers brought him to the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. Before the surgery, Braidee Foote, clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology, examined Challenger while Mike Jones, emeritus professor of avian and zoological medicine, held him. Foote performed the surgery, which was deemed a success. Challenger retired from free-flighted programs in 2019 due to the cataracts.
A Home and Future At Herbert
The Herbert College of Agriculture is growing. Applications have almost doubled since 2021, and enrollment nears 2,000, including two freshmen among the incoming class of 15 Haslam Leadership Scholars. Herbert now offers 11 undergraduate majors, 17 minors, 10 graduate programs and six Ph.D. programs.
Saving for the Win
UT Extension Family and Consumer Sciences and UT Extension Henderson County were two of 18 organizations honored with the 2024 America Saves Savings Champion award, a national honor for organizations that effectively and actively promote saving strategies during America Saves Week. Assistant Professor Christopher Sneed and UTIA Social Media Manager Haley Harbin collaborated on an award-winning social media campaign.
Research across the State
Nearly 40,000 farmers, gardeners, students, researchers and others visit UT AgResearch and Education Centers and the UT Arboretum for field day events that highlight the latest UT research. The 33rd Milan No-Till Field Day at the AgResearch and Education Center at Milan marks the height of summer in July and recognizes Tennessee as the leader in no-till crop farming implementation. Attendance in Milan included more than 1,200 visitors from 44 Tennessee counties, 11 states and six countries.
Get ready for the Market
Farmers and entrepreneurs toured grocery stores, restaurants and dining facilities in Chattanooga and Murfreesboro for the UT Center for Profitable Agriculture’s MarketReady Buyer Tour. In Chattanooga, participants toured a Whole Foods store, visited dining facilities at UT Chattanooga and listened to a panel discussion with two local chefs, an urban farm manager, a corporate buying agent and a Tennessee Department of Agriculture consultant. The center, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, provides consulting and resources to farmers and producers looking to add value to their products.