At the UT Institute of Agriculture, UT AgResearch confronts grand challenges facing modern civilization as we feed, clothe, house, and heal an ever-growing population, while beautifying and caring for our environment. Modern problems require innovative science from UTIA experts. With multidisciplinary and public and private partnerships, the Department of Plant Sciences intends to discover these opportunities and create Real. Life. Solutions.
UT Extension provides a gateway to AgResearch as the outreach unit of UTIA. It is a statewide educational organization, funded by federal, state, and local governments, that brings research-based information about agriculture to the people of Tennessee. With an office in each of the state’s ninety-five counties, Extension helps Tennesseans improve their quality of life.
Find out how the Institute extends Real. Life. Solutions. to the thing we all have in common— YOU.
Discover Extension publications from Plant Sciences faculty and staff.
Directory
Explore Plant Sciences faculty and their areas of research and programming.
Programs
AgResearch and Extension coordinates multiple programs that bring research based information to the fields of our community partners. From riverbeds to backyards, Plant Sciences is always working to improve agriculture.
Commercial Vegetable
Expand content upHorticulture
Expand content upRiver Studio
Expand content up
Sustainable Nursery & Landscape
Expand content up Herbicide Stewardship
Expand content upOrganic and Sustainable Crops
Expand content up Racheff Chair of Excellence researches biotechnology, genomics, and ecology.
Master Programs
Whether it be improving a cattle operation with better forage practices, advancing a horticulture hobby, or enhancing a green business, Plant Sciences offers a range of public educational programs.
Tennessee Master Beef Producer Program
Expand content upThe Tennessee Master Beef Producer Program provides targeted educational presentations and hands-on demonstrations for a variety of topics in beef cattle production.
Tennessee Master Gardener Program
Expand content upThe Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program is a volunteer educational program that provides Tennesseans with horticulture education.
Tennessee Master Nursery Producer Program
Expand content upThe Tennessee Master Nursery Producer program is a professional development program for nursery crops producers.
Tennessee Master Forage Program
Expand content upEnrollment begins in Spring 2025! The Tennessee Master Forage Program offers an in-depth exploration of forage-livestock systems while focusing on the soil, plants, and animal interactions.
AgResearch and Education Centers
Ten AgResearch and Education Centers support researchers, serve as experiential learning laboratories for students, and provide spaces for public education.
The East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center's Organic Crops Unit facilitates student internships and provides fresh produce to consumers.
Centers
Plant Sciences oversees multiple Centers engaged in research, which extend pragmatic solutions for pressing issues in agriculture. These also give opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in appreciable fields.
Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology
Expand content upBeef and Forage Center
Expand content upTennessee Plant Research Center
Expand content up Specialized Facilities
Plant Sciences hosts a range of facilities supporting students, scientists, Extension professionals, industry members, and the public. These spaces are open, living classrooms, laboratories, and gathering spaces providing access to nationally recognized, cutting-edge programming.
These plants shaped the lives of Tennesseans and their agricultural practices.
