Growing Greatness— A new strategic plan charts the future for the institute’s life-changing impacts

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is a special place. Here, our world-renowned researchers, educators, and experts create and deliver Real. Life. Solutions. that address some of society’s most pressing issues while improving everyday life for Tennesseans and beyond.

In fall 2024, the institute celebrated the launch of its new five-year strategic plan, Growing Greatness, which guides our experts as we improve lives. It’s a vision that sets us apart and charts a course for even greater excellence as one of the few land-grant university institutes of its kind in the United States.

Why is having a strategic plan important to an organization’s success?

Every organization needs a road map to make sure the work being done is coordinated and ultimately successful. We have many moving parts within UTIA, and all are important. So, when there is a solid plan in place for moving forward, it makes the work that we do much more effective.

You gathered feedback from stakeholders across the state, from our state’s commodity boards, government and industry partners, faculty and staff, students and 4-H and FFA members, alumni, and friends. Talk a bit about why this insight was so important to incorporate.

Our work impacts many people and groups and, most importantly, our agricultural partners across the state. We seek to know what they need and want. The same is true of our internal audience—our faculty, staff, and students who rely on us every day. Our goal is to produce data-driven information that can ultimately be put to practical use by those we serve, so their voices are critical. And we want to make sure it’s delivered in the way that is most efficient and effective.

What most excites you about putting this plan into action?

I am excited that this plan was designed by a committee of people who do the work each day and know it best. So many hours were put into gathering information from multiple sources and then combing through the results to find emerging themes. It’s a plan designed by the people who know it best, and those are the best plans.

What do you think makes the UT Institute of Agriculture special?

This is an easy one. It’s the people: the people who show up every day with a life mission of doing impactful and meaningful work. It’s the producers and the public who benefit from this work and appreciate it. The faculty and staff who make up UTIA truly live by our brand promise of delivering Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. It’s not just a slogan; it’s our mission.

---