David White is the newly appointed dean of the Herbert College of Agriculture. While he served as interim dean during the last two years, the college grew to a record enrollment of 2,022 students as of fall 2024 and expanded academic programs and experiential activities. “Our mission of teaching the next generation of Tennessee’s problem solvers across agriculture, natural resources and construction sciences is delivering solutions to the numerous grand challenges we face as a state and a society,” says White, who came to UTIA in 2016 and has served in several leadership roles within the Institute of Agriculture.
Tennessee’s Newest State Forest
About 5,500 acres of land managed by the Ames AgResearch and Education Center in Grand Junction is now known as the Wolf River State Forest, thanks to an unusual land transfer and agreement with the Tennessee Department of Forestry. The land includes the longest continuous research tree nursery in the country, and the river feeds the aquifer system that supplies water to residents in Memphis and the surrounding counties. UT AgResearch continues to manage the land with the state, and more potential recreational and educational opportunities are being discussed.
Reducing Insect Threats to Food Supply
Researchers are developing new sensors, traps and devices, such as this autonomous ground robot, to monitor for insect infestations in grain storage and large-scale food processing facilities. Chetan Badgujar, assistant professor and agricultural engineer in the Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, says the new methods will reduce post-harvest losses and contamination that can threaten the global food market and supply chain. The collaboration between UTIA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service is funded by a more than $324,000 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Landscape Professionals Program
UT Extension agents and specialists are teaching a new certificate program for landscape professionals. The certified landscape professionals course is designed for anyone who manages ornamental landscapes or wants to start a career in the industry. Participants complete each unit at their own pace online. For more information or to sign up, visit tiny.utk.edu/LandscapePro.
