UT AgResearch was fortunate to receive $50 million from the state in funding from the American Rescue Plan. The funds are being applied at each of our ten AgResearch and Education Centers located throughout Tennessee.
Infrastructure and equipment improvements are imperative to enable our scientists to provide accurate data reflecting modern practices that support our AgResearch stakeholders, strengthen communities, invigorate local economies and the American economy, and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Tennessee and beyond.
“Our new lateral irrigation system will cover approximately 25 acres of premium research ground that is used in crop production research. Sure, in drought years, irrigation can improve yield, but it can save research trials. It’s hard to get meaningful data from a 50 bushel corn crop, for example, and there’s nothing worse than telling a graduate student, a PI, or funding agency, sorry, maybe we will get good data next year. Besides adding stability and quality to the data collected in research trials, it provides opportunities for smart-farming research on crop responses to irrigation, precision irrigation, fertigation, and chemigation.”
Dr. Scott Stewart
Center Director
West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
