by Alexis Clark
Tennessee State University’s College of Agriculture hosted its 20th annual Small Farm Expo, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony for facilities rebuilt after the 2020 tornadoes. The event celebrated the reopening of the Controlled Environment Agriculture Research and Education Greenhouse, the Agriculture Education Center, and the Pavilion, which are key parts of TSU’s agricultural programs.
TSU Interim President Ronald A. Johnson gave remarks at the ceremony, emphasizing the resilience and determination of the university in overcoming past challenges.
“The devastation caused by the 2020 tornado was a formidable setback, but it did not deter us,” Johnson said. “We’re not just replacing what was here; we’re advancing what we can do. These state-of-the-art facilities will redefine the landscape of agricultural research, education, and community engagement, not just at TSU but across the state of Tennessee.”
These rebuilt facilities enable researchers to conduct cutting-edge experiments in sustainable agriculture and host educational workshops, seminars, and public outreach programs.
The Small Farm expo brought together hundreds of industry leaders, small farmers, and students for a day of workshops, farm tours, and the annual awards luncheon. Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of TSU’s College of Agriculture, expressed his gratitude to the partners who continue to participate in the yearly expo and who helped rebuild the facilities.
“We seized this opportunity to build a modern, comprehensive agricultural research station that we can all be proud of,” Reddy said. “The new research infrastructure stands as a symbol of our collective strength and determination, and it will serve as a beacon for future research, innovation, and education.”
Dr. De’Etra Young, associate dean for Academics and Land-grant Programs, noted the significance of the new facilities for the university’s future.
“These facilities symbolize our commitment to a future-ready TSU,” Young said. “They are designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and excellence, ensuring that our students and faculty have the resources they need to lead and excel in agriculture.”
The Expo featured workshops on urban agriculture, poultry production, beekeeping, and hemp research, as well as guest speakers from local, state, and federal levels.
TSU students Jhanya Chenault and Jaida Seafous, both agriculture ambassadors studying animal sciences, expressed excitement about the opportunities to engage with industry professionals and expand their career paths.
“I jump at these opportunities because I want to present myself to future employers,” said Chenault, a junior from Atlanta, Ga. “Being here in Tennessee, we have so many options, and I’m surrounded by people who want to be in the same spaces that I want to be in.”
For Seafous, a sophomore from Houston, Texas, this was her first time attending the Expo.
“I wanted to take full advantage of this opportunity,” Seafous said. “We want to get our faces out there, and I have many opportunities at Tennessee State University.
Finis Stribling who is the director of TSU’s New Farm Academy Small Farms Program, highlighted the significance of Expo and highlighted farmers who may be limited to resources. “Our mission has always been to work with small-scale, limited-resource, underserved producers,” he said. “Now, we’re looking at innovative approaches like drone technology to advance small-scale farming here at TSU.”
The expo also honored Ryan McCaffrey as the Tennessee Small Farmer of the Year, awarding him $3,000 for his achievements. Other award recipients, each receiving $1,000, included Debra Lockard for the Alternative Enterprises Award, Briley Dodge for the Innovative Marketing Award, and Adam Clark as the Most Improved Farmer of the Year.
TSU continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing agricultural research and supporting the state’s small farming community. These efforts ensure that the next generation of agricultural leaders is well-equipped for the future, even in the face of challenges like the devastating 2020 tornado.
