UT AgResearch

Corrected Report Link: agresearch.tennessee.edu/wp-content/upl…

We were honored to celebrate Cyndie Nichols as she retires after 34 years at the University of Tennessee. In multiple roles supporting AgResearch & UTIA, Cyndie made a lasting impact through her leadership and dedication. We’ll miss her, but we’re excited for her next chapter.

We were delighted to see our industry partners Tracy Rafferty, Executive Director of the TN Poultry Association, recognized for the Industry Sponsor Award and David Wilds, VP of Operations of Koch Foods for the distinguished alumni award at the UT Animal Science Awards Banquet.

UT welcomes Orlando J. Rojas as the UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Circular Biomaterials. Rojas will hold a joint appointment in @UTIAg and at @ORNL beginning in late 2026. news.utk.edu/2026/05/06/ut-…

Congratulations to Scott Lenaghan and Alex Pfotenhauer for receiving the 2026 UTK Chancellor’s Innovation Fund Award to enhance their “Development of self-replicating RNA for spray-on RNAi pesticides". We’re excited to see how they further develop the impactful technology.

Congratulations to Jenn DeBruyn and Joe Zhuang, UTIA professors in the Department of Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science for their election as 2025 Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the lifetime appointment on the AAAS Council.

Congrats to Kellie Walters on an outstanding invited presentation at the agInnovation and ASRED Joint Annual Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico! Kellie showcased innovative controlled environment agriculture (CEA) research - “From Physiology to Profitability: Advancing CEA.”

Congratulations to Dr. Avat Shekoofa, Irrigation Researcher of the Year, and Dr. Sebe Brown, Cotton Researcher of the Year! They were recognized at the national Conservation Systems Cotton & Rice Conference for their contributions to conservation systems & agricultural research.

Mark your calendars for the 34th Milan No-Till Field Day! Join us July 23, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the UT AgResearch and Education Center in Milan, TN, for expert-led tours on no-till farming and more.

Corrected Report Link: agresearch.tennessee.edu/wp-content/upl…

We are pleased to present to you the 2025 UT AgResearch Annual Report highlighting our efforts and accomplishments over the past year and the continued upward trajectory of our program growth and impact. Read about about some of the great work accomplished last year in the Report: agresearch.tennessee.edu/2025AnnualRepo…

Our annual joint Center Director and Department Head meeting held in Greeneville was a success! We appreciate their exceptional leadership, invaluable research contributions, and service to advance agriculture and natural resources in Tennessee and beyond.

UTIA researchers hit a home run at the UTRF's 2025 Innovation Awards ceremony! Leading the awards is the "Innovator of the Year", John Sorochan (wife Lisa accepted the award) & Kyley Dickson, with other faculty award recipients in Startups, Licenses, and Patents. Congratulations!

We were honored to host Senators Shane Reeves and Bobby Harshbarger this week. Their visit to the Little River Dairy at the East TN AgResearch & Education Center showcased our robotic milkers, emphasizing advancements in precision ag & workforce training.

Troy Rowan and Yang Zhao were bestowed, respectively, the Pate Endowed Fellow for Animal Genomics and the Guthrie Endowed Chair for Precision Livestock Farming. Congratulations Troy and Yang!!

The Center Directors & Dean’s Office came together to celebrate the retirement of Dr. Barry Sims, honoring his remarkable career. Barry dedicated 27 years to UT AgResearch & total of 39 years of service to agriculture. Congratulations, Barry, & best wishes for your next chapter!

Growing UT AgResearch, Together! We are dedicated to growing the economic prosperity of Tennessee and training our future leaders and workforce. When you support the work of UT AgResearch today, you are investing directly in the future of Tennessee. BigOrangeGive.utk.edu/agresearch

The AgResearch Retreat was a success, with meaningful collaboration, engaging team-building activities, a Crucial Conversations session by the UT Ombuds Office, ending with a fun cornhole tournament. Congrats to champions Trey Torres and Alden Johnson!

UT officials gathered with local & state partners to commemorate new improvements to the West Tennessee AgResearch & Education Center. UT President Randy Boyd cut the ribbon on the new duplex along with Assistant Commissioner for Policy & Legislation for TDA Carol Coley McDonald.

We were honored to host TDA Commissioner Andy Holt & Chairman Rusty Grills, and his family, last week. Their visits to the Little River Dairy at the East TN AgResearch & Education Center showcased our robotic milkers, emphasizing advancements in precision ag & workforce training.

Congratulations to Dr. Hongwei Xin, @UTAgResearch Dean, recipient of the agInnovation Excellence in Leadership Award for the southern region: aginnovation.info/2025-award-rec… @UTIAg @UT_Herbert @UTKnoxville