Skip to Main Content

UT Institute of Agriculture University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Photos of the Institute of Agriculture

Frequently Used Tools:



UTIA » News Archive » News Releases 2007


News Archives - 2007

 

 

December 2007

Calendar Set for 2008 Tennessee Field Days
UT officials invite you to plan now to attend several educational events throughout the year at the
10 research and education centers within the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station system.

Food Safety Researcher to Lead Department
Dr. Michael Davidson, a veteran professor in the University of Tennessee Department of Food Science and Technology, has been appointed as head of the department.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month for December - Dwarf Nandina
For showy color in the winter garden, you can’t go wrong with ‘Fire Power.’ This dwarf nandina features scarlet red and orange foliage that makes this shrub a knockout during our coldest season.

Endowment Established for Rutherford County 4-H
The 4-H youth programs of Rutherford County will be celebrating the new year with humble gratitude
A gift agreement between Lucy Whitesell, of Murfreesboro, and University of Tennessee Extension
has established a perpetual endowment to support the county's 4-H program.



November 2007

New Tobacco Grower Research Center Established at Tennessee
To support the long-term sustainability and vitality of U.S. tobacco production, Philip Morris USA, in cooperation with Philip Morris International Management SA, has funded the establishment of the Center for Tobacco Grower Research at the UT Institute of Agriculture.

Calling All Tobacco Growers
The Center for Tobacco Grower Research at the University of Tennessee seeks tobacco growers to participate in production surveys.

UT Institute of Agriculture Appoints New Director of Marketing, Communications
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has announced the appointment of Lorna Norwood as Director of Marketing and Communications.

Bruch Named Outstanding New UT Extension Worker for 2007
University of Tennessee Extension has chosen Megan Bruch, a specialist with the Center for Profitable Agriculture, as the state's outstanding new Extension worker for 2007.

Hails from the Chief:
President Recognizes UT Professor for Excellence in Mentoring
A University of Tennessee food microbiologist received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring in a ceremony at the White House November 16.

Standards Change for Marketing Grass Fed Meat Products
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has established new standards for the voluntary grass fed marketing claim, an increasingly popular method for marketing beef.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month for November - Snapdragon
Snapdragons add winter color to Tennessee gardens.


October 2007

Biofuels Initiative Discussed at Middle Tennessee Public Forum
Farmers, researchers and citizens gathered on Monday at the University of Tennessee Plateau Research and Education Center in Crossville to learn more about the UT Biofuels Initiative (UTBI) and the effects it could have on Tennessee.

January Conference to Focus on Agritourism
A conference for entrepreneurs and farmers interested in agritourism will be held January 17-18, 2008, at Paris Landing State Park. Called “2008 Agritourism: Cultivating Farm Revenue,” the conference is among efforts sponsored by Tennessee Agritourism Initiative partners to build farm income in the state.

Dogwood Developers Win UT Tech Transfer Prize
Two University of Tennessee plant pathologists whose work with disease-resistant dogwood trees has revitalized the state's nursery industry are the 2007 recipients of the university's most prestigious award for entrepreneurship. Robert Trigiano and Mark Windham will share the Wheeley Award for Technology Transfer, which recognizes scientific achievement coupled with entrepreneurial accomplishments.

Biofuels Forum Scheduled for October 22
The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture will host an educational public forum on the UT Biofuels Initiative and switchgrass production at the UT Plateau Research and Education Center in Crossville on Monday, October 22, at 9:30 a.m. CDT.

Asian Soybean Rust Confirmed in Tennessee
Experts with University of Tennessee Extension have documented the presence of Asian soybean rust in the state. A significant agricultural disease, Asian soybean rust was found in West Tennessee on soybean leaf samples taken from a field plot in Gibson County at the UT Research and Education Center at Milan on Wednesday, October 3.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month for October - Bluebeard
Bluebeard is a woody, shrub-like perennial that blooms late in the garden. Also called Blue Mist, the blooms resemble clouds of blue smoke.

 

September 2007

Farmers Encouraged to Apply for Grants
The Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program is now accepting farmer research grant applications. Applications are due by November 15, 2007.

Beef Cattle Conference Announced for Oct. 30
Cattle producers interested in improving their production and management practices are invited to attend a beef cattle conference Tuesday, October 30,at UT’s Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center in Spring Hill.

Tennessee’s Center for Profitable Agriculture Appoints New Director
Robert (Rob) W. Holland, Jr., has been appointed Director for the University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture.

UT Veterinary Dean to Retire
Dr. Michael Blackwell, dean of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) plans to retire in March 2008.

UT Board Approves Biofuels Business Partnership
The executive committee of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees approved a business partnership between the university and cellulosic biofuels pioneer Mascoma Corporation to establish Tennessee as a biofuels industry leader.

Software Course Offered for Farmers, Businesses
Effective management of any business, including a farm, requires accurate and detailed records so managers can make informed decisions affecting their profitability.

Sun Grant Initiative Awards $1.82 Million in Research Funds to Southeastern Universities
The Southeastern Sun Grant Center is pleased to announce funding for 13 biobased research proposals from land-grant universities in the southeast United States.

How to Grow Switchgrass
and other facts about bioenergy production in Tennessee

Educating Tennessee farmers, landowners and citizens on the production and consumption of biofuels is the focus of a new informative fact sheet campaign spearheaded by University of Tennessee Extension.

Tennessee’s Northeast Beef Expo Scheduled for October 11
New horizons for a changing industry will be the theme of the 2007 Northeast Tennessee Beef Expo. Scheduled for Oct. 11, the day-long event will be held at the University of Tennessee Research and Education Center at Greeneville.

Ag Day Celebration Scheduled for September 22
Agriculture at the University of Tennessee means safe food, affordable fibers, healthier pets, wood products, sustainable environments and now Grassoline™. The public is invited to learn More at Ag Day, Saturday, September 22, beginning at 3 p.m.

Biofuels Panel Addresses East Tennessee Farmers and Citizens
East Tennessee is going to become the center for alternative energy in the nation. More than 150 people came on August 29 to hear a panel of congressional respresentatives, University of Tennessee experts and agricultural leaders speak about the UT Biofuels Initiative and switchgrass production.

New University of Tennessee Office Focuses on Bioenergy
The newly created Office of Bioenergy Programs at the University of Tennessee is actively working toward a secure and sustainable energy future for the state and nation. Housed in the UT Institute of Agriculture, the Office of Bioenergy Programs coordinates a variety of research, development and outreach programs involving biofuels and related bioproducts.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month for September - Sesame
Sesame (Sesamum indicum), a tender annual plant grown for its oilseeds, is also a beautiful addition to ornamental gardens.

 

August 2007

Media Advisory: August 27, 2007

HIGH FIRE DANGER PROMPTS EARLY BURNING PERMIT REQUIREMENT
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) – Due to extremely high wildfire danger caused by the drought, record high temperatures and low humidity, state Forestry officials today announced the implementation of burning restrictions usually reserved for official wildfire season. See the news release by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

New Resource Will Help Develop Biobased Economy
Open, convenient access to information will drive new biomass science and technology out of the computer network and into our garages and homes. Scientists with the federal Sun Grant Initiative believe this, and today they announced the availability of a new collection of materials designed to speed the effort.

From Grow to Go!
Public Forum on UT Biofuels Initiative
The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and the University of Tennessee will host an educational public forum on the UT Biofuels Initiative and switchgrass production on Wednesday, August 29, at the Morristown campus of Walters State Community College, 500 South Davy Crockett Parkway. The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Judge William H. Inman Humanities Complex Theater, room number 147. Questions will be accepted from the public.

UT Extension Organizes a Drought Information Website
To help farmers and consumers confront the ongoing drought across the state, University of Tennessee Extension has organized information about the effects of the drought on plants and animals on a central website.

Lead Poisoning – Silent, Insidious
Learning disabilities and behavioral problems are among the many unpleasant outcomes of lead poisoning. This silent enemy of early childhood can also cause seizures, coma, and even death.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month for August - Black Tupelo, Black Gum, or Sour Gum
Nyssa sylvatica or Black Gum is a landscape favorite, often found along stream banks. Nyssa is a derivation of Nysa, the mythological water nymph. The scientific name “sylvatica” means “of woods” which makes Black Gum the water nymph of the woods.

 

July 2007

Center for Profitable Agriculture Welcomes New Marketing Specialist
Jennifer Dutton has been welcomed as the newest marketing specialist for the University of Tennessee and the Center for Profitable Agriculture (CPA).

UT's Summer Celebration Draws Record Crowd
A record crowd of more than 2,800 lawn and gardening enthusiasts attended the University of Tennessee's annual Summer Celebration Thursday July 12.

Belli to Lead UT Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries Programs
Dr. Keith Belli is the new professor and head of the Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He leads one of the largest units in the university’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, one of four units in the statewide UT Institute of Agriculture.

Steak and Potatoes…and Trees?
The menu of topics covered at the annual Steak and Potatoes Field Day includes more than just beef cattle management and fruit and vegetable production. This year the event, which is hosted by the University of Tennessee Plateau Research and Education Center in Crossville, will also feature presentations geared toward forestry management for hardwood production and wildlife habitat.

Tobacco and Forage Field Day Scheduled for July 19
Despite the season’s dry weather, improving production of two of upper East Tennessee’s most important commodities will be the focus of a field day at the University of Tennessee Research and Education Center at Greeneville. Scheduled for Thursday, July 19, the event will run from 8 a.m. until 2:50 p.m. EDT.

Researchers Appointed Directors for Tennessee Biofuels Initiative
The state’s funding of the Tennessee Biofuels Initiative, which became official on July 1, has prompted
the University of Tennessee to appoint two researchers to direct the $48.9 million endeavor.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month for July - Crepe Myrtle
If you are not familiar with this wonderfully versatile, small tree, then it’s time to look into adding one to your yard. This plant has always been a standard in the southern landscape, and many new varieties have now been developed for smaller gardens.

 

June 2007

Tennessee Biofuels Research Gets Another Boost
Tennessee’s efforts to be a leader in biofuels research and development took another leap forward as the U.S. Department of Energy announced that the University of Tennessee and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory will manage a new $125 million bioenergy research center.

Summer Celebration Plans to Climb to New Heights
Organizers of the annual University of Tennessee Summer Celebration promise this year’s event will climb to new heights with its featured plants – annual vines. The 18th Summer Celebration, an educational expo for lawn and gardening enthusiasts, is planned for Thursday, July 12, at the UT West Tennessee Research and Education Center. Admission is free.

UT Forest Products Center Hosts 61st International Convention of the Forest Products Society
Several hundred forest products research, development, and industry professionals are expected for
the 61st International Convention of the Forest Products Society (FPS) in Knoxville. The forest products professionals will discuss topics ranging from wood drying and preservation to recycling and residue utilization and biomass processing. The event runs from Sunday, June 10, through Wednesday,
June 13.

June Meetings to Discuss How Temperament and Health Affect Cattle Marketing
What do temperament and health have to do with feedlot performance and carcass characteristics? A recent large-scale study suggests that cattle with poor temperaments tend to have lower value carcasses. The implications of the study will be the primary subject of five beef cattle meetings across the state June 11 through 14.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month for June - Skylands Oriental Spruce
Picea orientalis ‘Skyland’s’ (or Skylands) Oriental Spruce is striking for its wonderful form and brilliant color. However, this plant should be called an everyellow rather than an evergreen!

 

May 2007

Field Day Presents Forage and Cattle Colleges and Hay Equipment Demonstrations
Putting your land to work as well as working the land will be the focus of the Making Forages Work Field Day. Sponsored by the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, the free public event will be held July 26 at the Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center.

Animal-assisted Therapy Program to Hold Meeting for Potential Volunteers in Oak Ridge
A meeting for those interested in becoming volunteers with Human Animal Bond in Tennessee (HABIT), an animal-assisted therapy program, will be held Thursday, June 7, 2007, from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Public Library.

UT Veterinary Dean Receives National Honor
Dr. Michael Blackwell, dean of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, has received the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Distinguished Alumni Award.

UT Highland Rim Field Day Presents Broad, Exciting Program
On Thursday, June 28, the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station invites the public and producers to a field day at the Highland Rim Research and Education Center in Springfield. Participants will hear presentations designed to enhance local production of a variety of commodities, including beef cattle, tobacco, soybeans, and tree fruits.

UT Beef and Forage Field Day Scheduled for June 14
Cattle management and hay production and storage will be on the minds of cattle producers attending the 2007 Beef and Forage Field Day. The event is being held on June 14 by the University of Tennessee at the Blount Unit of the East Tennessee Research and Education Center. Activities will begin with a trade show at 7:30 a.m.

Cattle and Careers
June 14 program scheduled for youth interested in beef production or a career in agriculture or natural resources. Presented at the Blount Unit of the UT East Tennessee Research and Education Center. Activities will run concurrent with the University of Tennessee Beef and Forage Field Day.

UT Conference to Discuss the Future of the Dairy Industry
On June 6, 2007, the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station will present a conference for dairy professionals. Cutting-edge information will be available to help producers enhance their operations and dispel some concerns about the future of the industry.

UT Gardens Plant of the Month: Hydrangea
No shrub says “Southern Garden” more than the hydrangea. These beautiful plants have long been a staple in our region, and for good reason. Hydrangeas include a large variety of cultivars with many different growth habits and cultural needs. One selection, Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer', is commonly known as the ‘Endless Summer Hydrangea’.

UT Recognizes Hickman for Professional Achievement, Service
Waymon Logan Hickman, Sr., of Columbia, Tenn., has joined the elite fraternity of University of Tennessee College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources graduates recognized with the college’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

 

April 2007

Veterinary College Offers Dog Bite Prevention Class for Kids
Does your child get nervous around dogs? Is your child afraid of dogs? Does your child know how to use “good manners” around dogs? In recognition of National Dog Bite Prevention Week in May, the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine is offering a “Dog Bite Prevention Class” for children Saturday, May 19, 2007.

Horse Round Table to be Held in Appalachian Area
The University of Tennessee has scheduled a Horse Round Table for Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at the Gray Community Center. Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the program will start at 7:00. The program is free of charge.

Tennessee Cattle Video Series Expands
Ten videos have been added to the Tennessee Cattle Lane video series. The videos, along with their with accompanying fact sheets, form an on-line library offered by the beef program of University of Tennessee Extension and the UT Department of Animal Science.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month: Cardoon
Cardoon, or Cynara cardunculus, is a thistle-like perennial plant that is very similar to the globe artichoke. The plant has been popular in modern home gardens for its ornamental values, such as the silvery-gray serrated foliage, dramatic texture, and bright purple flowers.

 

design element

March 2007

UT Appoints New Dean of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Dr. Caula A. Beyl has been named as dean of the University of Tennessee College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Since January Beyl has been serving as Interim Dean of Graduate Studies for Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.

Mystery Illness Linked to Bee Losses May Be Stress
Beekeepers in 22 states have reported the collapse of large numbers of honey bee colonies as warmer temperatures prompt the beekeepers to examine over-wintered colonies for the first time in spring.

Veterinary College Offers Foreign Animal and Emerging Diseases Course
The UT College of Veterinary Medicine is hosting a weeklong, in-depth training course on Foreign Animal and Emerging Diseases from May 13-18, 2007. The course, which is jointly sponsored with the USDA, includes speakers with international expertise on foreign animal and emerging diseases.

Partnership to Prepare Biofuels Professionals
New types of jobs are already appearing related to the burgeoning biofuels and biorefining industries, and the University of Tennessee is among the institutions leading the way to educate a professional workforce suited for the new industries.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month: Tom Thumb Pea
Tom Thumb Pea, or Pisum sativum, is a rare heirloom pea that was introduced in the 1850s by a Philadelphia seed company. As the name indicates, this pea has an extreme dwarf growth habit, yet it produces an abundance of full-sized pea pods in limited space.

UT Plateau Center Announces Spring Cattle Sale
The University of Tennessee Plateau Research and Education Center will hold its 11th annual spring heifer and bull sale on Friday, March 23, starting at 10:00 a.m. CDT. The sale will feature high-quality replacement heifers and bulls (registered Angus, Gelbvieh, and Balancers).

 

February 2007

Open House 2007 Scheduled at UT College of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine will hold its annual open house Friday, March 23 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Saturday, March 24 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The open house will take place on the UT agricultural campus, located on Neyland Drive.

"Tennessee Saves Day" to Encourage Financial Education in Tennessee
Got a few coins handy? Who says you've got to spend them? Dropping them in a piggy bank might be a good idea. It's all part of "Tennessee Saves Day" at the State Capital Building in Nashville on February 28, 2007.

At Issue: Veterinary Care in Rural Tennessee
Is the state experiencing a shortage in the availability of veterinary care for its large-animal and food-animal industries? How would such a shortage affect our economy? These questions are on the minds of producers, veterinarians and others depending on animal-based agriculture.

Conference To Explore Opportunities for Alternative or Value-Added Agricultural Enterprises
Are you an entrepreneur? Are you considering an alternative or value-added agricultural enterprise? If so, make plans to attend the Idea to Enterprise Conference: Tools to Transform Creativity to Profit on March 8, 2007, in Cookeville.

Influx of Retirees Affects Rural Communities
The first baby boomers turn 60 in 2006, and researchers estimate that, nationwide, during the next 18 years about 400,000 of them -- with an average of $320,000 to spend on new homes -- will retire beyond their state borders.

Animal-assisted Therapy Program to Hold Meeting for Potential Volunteers
A meeting for those interested in becoming volunteers with Human Animal Bond in Tennessee (HABIT), an animal-assisted therapy program, will be held Saturday, February 24, at 10:00 a.m.-- noon on the agricultural campus of the University of Tennessee.

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month: Redtwig Dogwood
A true plant of merit in any winter garden, redtwig dogwood – Cornus sericea (stolonifera) – stands out as a favorite this time of year. As the common name suggests, one of this dogwood’s greatest features are the brilliantly colored red stems that come into full glory during the winter.

Blooms Days Event Wins National Educational Award
The Blooms Days Garden Festival and Marketplace offers visitors more than just a relaxing day outdoors, or so says All-America Selections®, a non-profit organization that supports the testing of new flowers and vegetables for home gardening.

 

January 2007

Agritourism Marketing Workshops Offered
Tennessee agritourism entrepreneurs will have three opportunities in February and March to attend marketing workshops that should help boost their sales and profitability.

Tennessee Announces 2007 Field Days and Special Events
Mark your calendar. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has announced its schedule for field days and special events for 2007. This year's presentations include events designed to appeal to livestock and horticultural professionals as well as to homeowners.

Tennessee's Cattle Lane
Cattle producers and others interested in quality beef production and management are invited to take a walk down Cattle Lane...or, more specifically, they are invited to participate in a free online education opportunity sponsored by University of Tennessee Extension and the UT Department of Animal Science.

UT Appoints New Director of Animal Care
A Tulane University laboratory animal veterinarian has accepted the position of director for the University of Tennessee Office of Laboratory Animal Care. Dr. Patricia N. Coan, formerly director of the Department of Vivarial Science and Research at Tulane, will also serve as UT's attending veterinarian.

Veterinary College Receives Award
The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine has been named a 2006 Commitment Award winner in the annual Excellence in Tennessee recognition program administered by the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE).

UT Gardens' Plant of the Month: Umbrella Pine
Visiting the Kiso Valley in Japan would be a dream pilgrimage for any conifer lover. Nestled within the southern region of the northern Japanese Alps, between Osaka and Tokyo, this valley is home to active volcanoes and some of the most spectacular trees on earth.

 


|| Current Releases ||