College of Agriculture

In the distance, to the right of Hale Stadium, is a large brick structure with the roofline of a barn. This complex is the home of one of TSU’s most important academic divisions—the College of Agriculture. Tennessee State University was established as a land-grant college under the Agricultural College Act of 1890. Land grant colleges were established by federal law with the Morrill Act of 1862 with the purpose of “teaching practical agriculture, science, military science, and engineering.” The engraving on the Industrial Arts Building reads “By Way of the Shop, the Field, and Skilled Hand,” which pays homage to the university’s original mission when it opened its doors in 1912. As such, agriculture was arguably Tennessee A&I’s first signature program.

Through the continued support of federal agencies such as the USDA, the “Ag” department—as it’s called—remains one of TSU’s best funded programs. Students in the College of Agriculture study a wide array of subjects ranging from pesticide and nutrient management in crop production systems to the biological consequences of climate change. Agricultural science remains an important part of TSU’s past, but it is also an important part of the university’s future. With cutting-edge scholarship, excellent faculty, and talented students—the College of Agriculture will continue to figure prominently in the twenty-first century.