About IAgER

Background

Agricultural research began at Tennessee State University in 1967 with a grant of $19,256 from the Cooperative State Research Service (CSRS) of the United States Department of Agriculture and continued annually in the same amount until 1972.  Six research projects were funded in the areas of plant science, nutrition, financial management, and animal science.

In 1972, CSRS funds through Public Law 89-106 appropriations, greatly enhanced research capabilities, resulting in much stronger and more inclusive research programs.

In 1978, CSRS/Evans-Allen Funding under Public Law 95-113, Section 1445, established funding for high priority agricultural research.  The administrative staff was broadened and the research program at Tennessee State University became known as the Cooperative Agricultural Research Program (CARP).

In 1981, CSRS funding under Public Law 97-98, Section 1433, to 1890 Land-Grant Institutions for upgrading research facilities, provided the impetus for Tennessee State University to build a facility devoted entirely to research.  Those appropriations also allowed for the Cooperative Agricultural Research Program and the Cooperative Extension Program at Tennessee State University to jointly renovate the Old Dairy Barn which now houses administrative, program, and research entities.

Research funds are now appropriated annually by the United States Congress and administered through the United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES).

After years of planning and construction, and through partnerships among the Tennessee nursery industry, Tennessee State University, the USDA, and state and local governments, the Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center opened in McMinnville in 1996. This facility is the only research center in the United States dedicated solely to nursery crop research.

The Research Team Concept

The Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research at Tennessee State University is organized into multidisciplinary Research Teams.  The team approach was recognized as an effective and efficient way to achieve our goals. Anticipated benefits of adopting this approach included:

	A pooling of talents
	Improved efficiency and effectiveness
	Improved competitiveness
	Reduction in training costs

IAGER