Trains have long been a symbol of Christmas cheer. Think Polar Express here. Now UTs Institute of Agriculture has a miniature Holiday Express on display at the University gardens.
It's everywhere, and growing. Kudzu was once considered an exotic plant, but now we think of it more as a landscaping or agricultural nuisance. The rapidly-growing vine is a real problem in Tennessee, but UT scientists have advice about limiting its spread.
When an elderly person is lonely, pets can help them overcome their sadness. UT's College of Veterinary Medicine has a special program where pet owners take their animals to visit people in assisted living facilities.
Beef cattle farming is Tennessee's number one agricultural commodity - and herd reproductive health is critical for producers to stay in business. UT's Institute of Agriculture is working on research to boost cattle pregnancy rates.
Given our recent economy, gift-giving will be a financial challenge for many families this Christmas. But you can take care of people on your shopping list in your own home. Experts with UT Extension say foods and crafts are inexpensive and thoughtful presents.
Tennessees cotton acreage is down some, but farmers did have a new and more efficient way to harvest the crop this year. More and more producers are using cotton module pickers to get their crops from the field to the gin.
A recent government report says the US could easily produce more than a billion tons of materials to make biofuels each year - and it wouldn't impact our food supply. Researchers at UT's Institute of Agriculture are working on ways to produce biomass and alternative fuels.
In recent years, the swine industry has become the face of tough times in agriculture.
Tennessee has lost a number of pork producers because of high production costs and low commodity prices.
When someone has a limited income, not only do they have a hard time feeding themselves, but also its difficult to afford food for their pets. The College of Veterinary Medicine at the UT Institute of Agriculture has a program to donate pet food to the disadvantaged.
In Tennessee, 4-H enrollment tends to decline as kids get older. But some young people continue their work through their college years. Collegiate 4-H'ers at UT-Knoxville say they're more focused than ever on community service.
In Tennessee's warm season months, gnats are a nuisance to people and animals. UT researchers are working to reduce the gnat population by eliminating the insects before they've hatched from rivers and streams.
UT's Institute of Agriculture has now named a site where it will build a refinery to produce biofuels. It's part of a statewide initiative to make Tennessee a leader in our nation's efforts to find new ways to make fuel and energy.
We need money to live. Many of us will earn millions of dollars over the course of our working lives. But it's easy for cash to slip through our fingers.
If you're traveling by a Tennessee farm, a hillside covered with grazing goats is a common sight.
Our state is second nationally in the number of goats, and these animals generate a growing market for their meat and milk.
It's one of society's scariest concerns, and largely brought about by advances in technology. Identity theft is America's fastest growing crime - impacting one in four people -- and it costs us more than $50 billion every year.
It can be a tough task getting kids fired up about science. But its doable when you interject a little wonder and fun. Thats the idea behind the Science, Engineering and Technology program with Tennessee 4-H.
America must find alternative sources for fuel and energy in the future. Traditionally we think of corn ethanol and other crops that can be converted - but Tennessee's vast forests might also someday be used for biomass.
The holidays are a time when we enjoy many delicious foods - both dinner items and for the sweet tooth. A great way to enhance your Yuletide cooking is to use wine to add a splash of flavor to your recipes. UT Extension food experts will admit their bias here - they like Tennessee wines for holiday cooking.
Coming to a strange land where you dont know the culture or the language has to be one of the hardest things you can do. But thats the reality for many Sudanese refugees who have migrated from their war-torn country to Tennessee. UT Extension has a program to help these immigrants adapt to life here.
The water quality in a number of ponds and creeks on Tennessee farms can be poor and unhealthy for animals and people.
Researchers with UT Extension are studying the issue, and looking for solutions to the problem of dirty water.
Some livestock barns around Tennessee are selling three and four times the usual number of cattle, but that's not necessarily positive for farmers.
Many producers have been forced to sell parts of their herd because of drought.
We mostly think of bugs as a nuisance, but they can be part of ... our diet! Entomologists at UTs Institute of Agriculture say insects make for tasty additions to some recipes - and they recently hosted an Insect Smorgasbord to prove it
From your front yard to your favorite golf course - Tennessee has some of the highest quality turf you'll find anywhere in the country. Experts with UT's Institute of Agriculture are conducting research to help homeowners, as well as sod farmers who grow turf.
