Welcome to the University of Tennessee's Plateau Research & Education Center.
Widely known for its contributions in fruit
and vegetable research, the Center was established in 1943
and includes 2,100 acres in three locations. The Center is about
equal distance from Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga and is
the site of research in beef, fruits and vegetables, field crops,
and swine. The Center is most noted for its studies in beef, squash,
muskmelons, watermelons, pumpkins, greens, cabbage, green beans,
apples, blueberries, and tomatoes.
Information from studies at the Center is applicable to small,
part-time, family farm operations. Research data from annual fruit
and vegetable variety trials is widely used by growers large and
small, both in Tennessee and across the nation.
The Plateau Research & Education Center is the site of studies on the efficiency
of livestock enterprises, fruit and vegetable production and marketing,
soil fertility and conservation research, and hay and pasture studies.
Early studies at the station helped bring mechanical harvesting
of green beans to Tennessee. Today the Center's research programs
reach across the state and the US. One of the Center's multi-state,
multi-agency, multidisciplinary efforts is in the Rutgers University-based
Interregional Research
Project No. 4, which involves the USDA, EPA, the agrichemicals
industry and others in investigations of minor crops -- those grown
on 300,000 acres or less, which encompasses most food crops other
than large-acreage commodity crops such as corn and soybeans.
Changing Animal Population
"In Tennessee, we're seeing changes in our animal population. Some species are moving in, but others are..."
Switchgrass Science
"At the University of Tennessee, switchgrass is all the buzz. It's a plant that's farmer &..."
Research Cattle Injured (WBIR.com)
"Four cattle at UT AgResearch's Plateau Center were wounded with arrows recently. The 230 cattle at the center..."
The Center operates as one of 10 Research and Education Centers in
the UT AgResearch system. Visitors are welcome during field
days, Research in Progress Days, Extension meetings, school
visits, and commodity group meetings. Tours and visits can be scheduled
at other times, as well. Contact us for more details.