A recent realignment of agriculture resources aims to further educational opportunities for UTM students and help to protect West Tennessee’s livestock industry.

The realignment will transfer the facilities of the UT Experiment Station’s Martin Research and Education Center to UTM’s Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“This realignment of the Martin research station is positive for the university and also for West Tennessee agriculture. We believe that our research efforts can now be more focused at our Milan and Jackson Experiment Stations and the experiential learning for UTM students will be greatly enhanced,” said Mitchell.

UTM will now gain the remaining 400 acres of a 600-acre farm adjacent to the campus as port of its Agriculture and Natural Resources Teaching Center.

Part of the realignment includes the creation of the West Tennessee Diagnostic Laboratory which will partner with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program, a $5 million appropriation for farm programs in this year’s state budget, will fund the laboratory partnership.

The following changes went into effect Jan. 1, 2006:

• The granary at the Swine Research Facility will be converted into the West Tennessee Diagnostic Laboratory. It is expected to be operational within 12 months.

• The Swine Research Facility will continue to house a reduced number of swine that will be used in the UTM animal science program.

• The cropland will be utilized in the future for large-scale crop plants.