How many of you have ever heard of Land Grant Universities? I never had until Jim mentioned it at school last week. Land Grant Universities? What the heck is that? I thought the subject might warrant a post because anything new to me, might be new to others or others might find it interesting. So here goes.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture's website "a land grant college or university is an institution that has been designated by its state legislature or Congress to receive unique federal support." There are over 100 universities or colleges in the land grant system. Here is a link for further information.
Tennessee has two land grant universities in the Land-Grant University system, they are the University of Tennessee (UT) and Tennessee State University (TSU). Some other states are as follows: Kentucky: Kentucky State University and University of Kentucky; Alabama: Alabama A & M University, Auburn University, and Tuskegee University; Georgia: Fort Valley State University, and the University of Georgia; Florida: Florida A & M University, and University of Florida; New York: Cornell University, and the State University of New York; and finally Maine: The University of Maine.
So what do all of these universities and colleges do with the special Federal monies? They work in conjunction with the USDA to offer such services as: the Cooperative Extension Program, Agriculture and Veterinary Schools, and Agricultural Experiment Stations. All of these services and programs are vital to a state and its citizens. They provide education, programs such as 4-H clubs and Master Gardeners.
So the next time you might hear someone say Land-Grant University System, or maybe not; more than likely you will wonder why our local extension agents work for the University of Tennessee and why the University of Tennessee plays such a big role in plant research and information, now you will know. I was always wondering myself why Cornell University had so much information on the web in the form of plant databases. Now I know.
in the garden....learning.
