UT Institute of Agriculture Requests Funding for Farming Optimization

UT Extension Master Gardeners Victory Garden in Shelby County

Tennessee’s agricultural industry is at a crossroads. As the state’s number one economic driver—generating over $89 billion in economic impact and supporting nearly 360,000 jobs—agriculture is facing mounting challenges from land conversion and increasing demands for efficiency and sustainability. In response, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) has submitted a $3 million recurring funding request to the Governor and General Assembly to advance precision agriculture—a game-changing approach that leverages technology and data to enhance farm productivity and profitability.

With UTIA leading the charge, this investment will:

✅ Strengthen Tennessee’s position as a global leader in precision agriculture research and education

✅ Support Tennessee farmers in adopting innovative technologies for efficiency and sustainability in a time of depleting land resources

✅ Enhance the productivity of key agricultural sectors

By equipping farmers with cutting-edge tools like artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making, and precision animal nutrition, this funding will ensure that Tennessee agriculture remains profitable, resilient, and competitive for future generations.

Your voice matters! Join us in advocating for this critical investment by reaching out to your legislators and sharing why precision agriculture is vital for Tennessee.