Tennessee State University breaks ground on new agricultural education facilities

Tennessee State University held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 26 for its new agricultural education facilities, which will be completed in the fall of 2026. The new facilities will support the university’s Food and Animal Sciences and Environmental Sciences programs. The facilities were approved by the Tennessee State Building Commission in 2023 and will be located at the corner of Schrader Lane and Dr. Walter S. Davis Boulevard.

According to an article on Tennessee State University’s website, the university’s Interim President Dwayne Tucker was quoted as remarking at the event, “We are sowing the seeds of innovation and progress. This project, which will serve as a hub of education, research, and outreach in the field of agriculture, underscores the state’s continued confidence in our university and the strength of our land-grant mission.”

The new facilities will span more than 110,000 square feet and will house a number of spaces for the College of Agriculture, including faculty offices, research laboratories, classrooms, teaching laboratories, a multipurpose area, and collaborative workspaces. Additionally, the facilities are planned to house future projects, like the One Health Center, the Precision Agriculture Center, the Soil Health Center, and the Water Management Center.

CheKenna Fletcher, a Ph.D. candidate in agricultural sciences, was present at the event and served as the mistress of ceremonies. During her remarks, she said, “Agriculture is our future, so I am very excited about this coming into fruition. I’m excited for all of the students who will be able to utilize the facilities and their labs. It’ll be an awesome opportunity for us to grow our department, grow more leaders and scholars in the agricultural field, especially in the food and animal sciences.”

Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Chandra Reddy, the dean of the College of Agriculture, said, “These buildings will offer students hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for real-world careers in agriculture, science, and environmental sustainability.”

The College of Agriculture has recently undergone a restructuring, which split the college into five separate departments. The restructuring is intended to help strengthen the research performed within the college, and the addition of the new facilities will aid in that goal, as well.

Among the guests present at the ceremony was Senator Bo Watson, who said, “TSU will successfully fulfill its mission as a land-grant university and will be a university of choice among the historically Black colleges and universities. That is our commitment. Let this groundbreaking be a testament to that commitment.”

For more information about Tennessee State University, visit the school’s website.