Agriculture. It spells big business in Tennessee, and students pursuing agriculture-related degrees at UTM will have the practical experience they need to contribute to an industry that currently generates nearly $38.8 billion in output in the state, employs 214,000 Tennesseans and accounts for 11.7 percent of the state's economy.

"This state has always been agrarian-based. One in four people is involved in agriculture in some way," said Dr. Jerry Gresham, chair of the UTM Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. "UT Martin has the only four-year agriculture program west of the Tennessee River in an area that is really the 'bread basket' of the state because of field crop production. It is a natural fit."

Renovation of several existing structures adjacent to the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex making them suitable for classrooms, living labs and university and public sales facilities, is part of an ever-evolving agriculture program at UTM. The goal is to graduate students who understand the need for diversification and are ready to contribute to the industry. Providing agriculture-related facilities that are useful to the community and promoting interaction between students and area residents is a bonus, according to Dr. Jim Byford, dean of the UTM College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.

"That's the whole story of our agricultural center," said Byford. "The facilities can be used by school groups, area residents involved in agriculture and natural resources and our students. Everything we're doing is student centered. We want to give students the opportunity to do things hands on, but also help the community."

The renovation is occurring on property transferred to UTM by the University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station. The latest renovation project scheduled to be completed in December is transforming a barn into a livestock merchandising center. The project began as so many UTM agricultural initiatives do - with a gift. A $50,000 gift from Ray Smith of Camden, Tenn., was used to match a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development $100,000 grant.

"The center, complete with sales floor, bleacher seating and holding areas, has been designed to be a multi-functional animal science facility," said Byford. "High school organizations such as FFA and 4-H can use the facility because it will be perfect for those types of events. The community also needs a place to sell alternative livestock such as sheep and goats."

Gresham agreed, "We want to help the smaller producers in the area with niche markets. The merchandising center will allow them to pool their livestock and get better prices."

A livestock merchandising class in which students learn what buyers want and how to organize and conduct sales will mean Additional use of the center. Actual sales of local livestock will represent learning opportunities for students.

Finally, another benefit of the center is the cooperative effort that UTM students can have with local residents and youth. "Anytime we can have events and involve UTM students working with area youth and farmers, it's a win-win situation," said Byford.

The merchandising center is just one of the renovation projects that, with the help of UTM alumni and others, is transforming dated structures into functional teaching facilities.

"We told our supporters - individuals and agriculture-related companies - 'We've got these facilities and with a little bit of money, we can renovate them,'" said Byford. "Ninety-five percent of the funding has been provided by individuals and private corporations. One by one we've transformed the buildings."

One of the cooperators providing ongoing support is the Tennessee National Guard.

"They needed a place to teach troops how to use earth-moving equipment," said Byford. "We had a place that needed the earth moved."

The guard built six experimental aquaculture ponds that Byford hopes students can use for research and demonstration projects as well as a new riding arena for the equestrian team. Commending the guard he added, "They've done something meaningful along with their training."

The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources also is tapping in to a new turf grass emphasis educating students about turf grass uses in wildlife, construction, recreation and residential applications.

"It almost has had a mushroom effect," said Byford. "To meet the various industry needs, students must understand the grass varieties, how to grow them and operate businesses that promote and use turf grasses. It's biology and business," he said.

To enhance turf grass study, Dr. Terry Vassey was hired. "He has worlds of real-life experience," said Byford. "We developed a curriculum focusing on turf grass and golf course management. We're putting in turf grass plots. These are student-centered research and demonstration plots. Northwest Tennessee is on the Mason-Dixon Line as far as turf grasses are concerned. We're too far north for some and too far south for others. Our research will benefit the students and industry."

Vassey joins new faculty members Dr. Philip Smartt, Dr. Joey Mehlhorn and Dr. Richard Joost in bringing what Byford terms real-life experiences to the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. Vassey and Joost are assistant and associate professors of plant and soil science, respectively; Smartt is assistant professor of natural resources management and Mehlhorn is associate professor of agriculture economics.

"All three came to us experienced and have had an immediate, productive impact." Byford added, "I can't tell you how good it is to work with people like that. They're here for the same reason I am - to teach our students."

Gresham thinks the quality reputation of the UTM agriculture graduates is spreading and one of the reasons is a strong alumni base. Graduates through the years have achieved success in their careers and remain close to the university. "They are in leadership roles in the industry," he said.

Tosh Farms of Henry County is a prime example. The business is owned by Jimmy Tosh, a UT Martin graduate, whose swine farm was named the 1997 Top Managed Farm in the nation. Representatives of Tosh Farms recently visited campus to discuss student internships.

Danny Hamm of Tosh Farms said the students with whom he has come in contact, are "high quality with a lot of motivation. They're knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile."

Ken Goddard, UT extension agent for agriculture in Henry County, echoed Hamm's assessment, adding that the students have a "quality background in agri-science and communicate well with producers."

Both agree that there are agriculture-related businesses in the region that can provide any graduate with a career challenge requiring an analytical, sophisticated mind that can flourish in a real-world setting.

"Our students are going to have to remain on the cutting edge of technology. They've got to be more and more knowledgeable and understand marketing," said Gresham. "I want our students to have the diversity to adapt to changing times in both agriculture and natural resources, be good stewards of the land as a renewable resource and be leaders in their communities. I want them to leave here and go into jobs they enjoy doing," he added. "I've told them if they do that, they'll never 'work' a day in their lives."