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Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Dr. James L. Byford, Interim Chair
251 Brehm Hall
(901) 881-7250
Faculty
James N. Butler, Jr., James L. Byford, Craig S. Darroch, Bobby N. Duck, Paula M. Gale, Thomas V. Greer, Jerry D. Gresham, Bobby R. Hathcock, Philip E. Lavely, Eric C. Pelren, Kyle J. Rozeboom, Richard C. Shadden, Rodney M. Thomsen, Yousef Zadegan
Faculty Associate: Barbara A. Darroch
Mission
The primary mission of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources is to provide a high quality undergraduate education leading to bachelor of science degrees in either agriculture or natural resources management. Both programs are distinctive, in that students are exposed to all principal disciplines within each program and have the flexibility to choose a concentration of courses in a discipline that interests them. Students in each program have opportunities to obtain field experience, prepare for postgraduate studies, and engage in scholarly and professional activities. The department offers completely by distance delivery a master of science degree in agricultural operations management, designed to prepare working agriculture and natural resources professionals for career advancement. Both faculty and students engage in public service and limited applied research related to needs of the region.
Majors
The bachelor of science degree programs in agriculture and in natural resources management include the following majors and areas of concentration. The professional education option within agricultural science is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (with a major in General Agriculture) (1110)
Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management (with a major in NRM) (1150)
The bachelor of science in agriculture degree includes a set of general education requirements and a core of
major field courses. Students will meet requirements for humanities, social science, critical thinking, and cultural
and ethical awareness. It requires completion of 132 semester hours of course work. Course requirements during
the first two years are similar to those of other universities, a feature which facilitates transferring to or
from other universities and community colleges. After completing basic courses in agriculture and supporting subjects,
students may elect an area of concentration according to their interests. Each concentration provides a broad general
education and excellent preparation for advanced study.
The bachelor of science in natural resources management also includes general education requirements and a core
of major field courses. Each of the concentrations is designed to provide a broad general education in management
of natural resources as well as specialization in the major. Completion of any of these curricula with selection
of proper electives provides an excellent foundation for graduate study.
All of the curricula available in Agriculture or Natural Resources Management include elective courses to allow
flexibility in selection of courses according to interests of the individual student. Electives must be selected
by the student with consultation and approval of his/her academic advisor. Many courses include field trips to,
and work experiences with, leading agricultural businesses, farms, and resource management agencies such as state
and national parks and wildlife refuges. Thus, students have an opportunity to observe proper application of new
concepts and information, technology, and principles of management to real-life situations. The master of science
in agricultural operations management degree is described in the graduate section of the catalog.
Pre-Professional Programs
In addition to the degree programs mentioned above, UT Martin offers these pre-professional programs:
Agricultural Engineering (1131)
Forestry (1133)
Veterinary Medicine (1135)
After completing two or three years of basic studies at UT Martin, students interested in one of these curricula may transfer to other universities offering advanced study leading to a degree in their chosen area of interest.
Minors
Minors are available in Agriculture and in Park and Recreation Administration for students who are completing
the university's bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degrees (see preceding section). The minor in agriculture
consists of agricultural Economics 110, agricultural engineering technology 110, animal science 110, plant science
110, and 12 semester hours of study in agriculture-related courses numbered 300 or above (excluding courses designated
as natural resources management, wildlife biology, or park and recreation administration). Agriculture faculty
will provide advice and counsel as requested by students or their academic advisors to assist in selecting courses
which are appropriate to each student's goals and objectives.
The minor in park and recreation administration consists of park and recreation administration 100, 110, 200, and
12 hours of upper-division park and recreation administration courses selected from park and recreation administration
300, 310, 321, 400, 430, and 440. Two hours from courses designated as Natural Resources Management 301 and 302
may be applied toward the upper-division park and recreation administration requirements.
Agriculture and natural resources management students wishing to complete an optional minor in a second degree
area are invited to do so. All requirements for the minor as set forth by the granting department must be met.
Minors are available through a number of different departments on campus.
Facilities
The Martin Agricultural Experiment Station and the Agricultural Teaching/Demonstration Complex, located adjacent
to the campus, are utilized as the laboratory farm in the department's teaching programs. Together, both units
comprise 680 acres and include herds of beef cattle, sheep, goats, horses and swine, as well as greenhouses and
landscape, wildlife, field and forage crop demonstration areas. These facilities are used by faculty and students
to conduct research which complements the teaching program as well as contributes to the broad objectives of the
UT Agricultural Experiment Station.
The organization outlined above enables students to become familiar with research conducted at the Martin Agricultural
Experiment Station, other experiment stations of the UT Institute of Agriculture, and other laboratories of the
university. UT Martin in this way occupies a unique position which differentiates it from other institutions.
UT Martin also has the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex (which includes a stalling facility) and an Equine Center
and Rodeo Practice Facility where students can board their horses.
Student Organizations
Agriculture and natural resources management students are active in several organizations which include the Agronomy Club, Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Zeta, Block and Bridle Club, Collegiate FFA, Collegiate 4-H, Horticulture Club, Park and Recreation Adventure Club, Equestrian Club, Rodeo Team, UT Martin chapter of the Wildlife Society and UT Martin Pre-Veterinary Club. These student organizations provide opportunities for meeting established professionals in the field, enhancing leadership skills, and participation in social activities.
Cooperative Education Program
The department participates in the UT Martin Cooperative Education Program which provides students an opportunity to gain valuable professional experience while preparing for career employment or graduate study. This program is designed so that students spend alternate semesters in study on campus and employment with an approved business or agency. Students majoring in any of the curricula offered in agriculture or natural resources management, as well as agricultural engineering, are eligible to participate in the program, provided they demonstrate satisfactory academic and on-the-job performance. Participants in the program should allow five years to earn the baccalaureate degree; however, they will obtain two years of valuable field experience and salary while employed. For further information, see "Cooperative Education" section of catalog, or write: Coordinator, Career Services, or Dean, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, UT Martin, Martin, Tennessee 38238.
Internship Programs
Supervised field experience, or an internship, is available for academic credit. It is required of all students
in park and recreation administration, and strongly encouraged for students in all other agricultural and natural
resources management degree programs. Internships are designed to enable a student to obtain credit for completion
of a prescribed program of work with an approved business or agency. Students have served as interns in a variety
of agricultural management and marketing positions and as interns with a variety of city, state and federal agencies.
Supervision and evaluation are provided by faculty and on-the-job supervisors. An essential element of this program
is that the work experience be designed so it contributes to a student's learning and level of competence in his/her
chosen career area; routine summer jobs or seasonal employment which do not meet these criteria cannot be considered
for internship credit. Students interested in the program should apply for participation one semester in advance,
and they should have achieved senior standing at the time the work experience begins in the case of park and recreation
administrationand junior standing in the case of other concentration areas.
Judging Teams
Teams composed of students enrolled in agriculture or natural resources management annually participate in intercollegiate contests in livestock judging, crops judging, horse judging, and land evaluation. Instruction and coaching are provided by faculty members, and membership on the team is based upon participation and competitive performance in practice exercises. The teams have received awards in regional and national competition. They provide excellent opportunities for interested students to sharpen their evaluation skills. Intercollegiate equestrian competition is also available to interested students.
Curricula in Agriculture
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Requirements
Agricultural Business Concentration
Agricultural Science Concentration
Animal Science Concentration
Landscape Science and Management Concentration
Plant and Soil Science Concentration
Curricula in Natural Resources Management
Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management Requirements
Environmental Management Concentration
Park and Recreation Administration Concentration
Soil and Water Conservation Concentration
Wildlife Biology Concentration
Pre-Professional Curricula in Agriculture
Agricultural Engineering
Forestry
Veterinary Medicine
Courses Offered by Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources