News Releases

	University of Tennessee President Dr. John Shumaker sheds his jacket during a visit with Lawrence County farmers Gilbert White (center)and Ken Sandrell. The threesome were part of a group touring White's farm and meat processing operations.

Shumaker accompanied Calvin Bryant, Lawrence County Extension director, to a local farm owned and operated by Gilbert White. Mr. White maintains 600 acres of row crops, a 60-cow beef cattle operation, and a 50-sow farrow-to-finish hog operation. White adds value to his livestock operations by butchering and processing his own meat products. He was named as the Lawrence County Natural Resource Conservation Service farmer of the year for 2003 in part for his outstanding efforts at no-till crop production. His wife Terrie helps him with the farm and business.

After visiting the Whites, Shumaker and Bryant took a driving tour through the county's extensive Amish community. Bryant says more than 200 area Amish families use traditional agricultural technologies to maintain their livelihood. "They frequently utilize Extension programs and information to enhance their fruit, vegetable, crop and livestock production," Bryant said. With offices in each of the state's 95 counties, the UT Agricultural Extension Service offers assistance in agricultural production, natural resource management, nutrition, and family and consumer sciences to all citizens of the state.

Members of the Lawrence County 4-H Honor Club present University of Tennessee President Dr. John Shumaker with a picture and a 4-H T-shirt. Pictured from left to right are Tiffany Sherrill, Courtney Shelton, Dr. Shumaker, Candace Hartsfield and Tracy Hagan, a 4-H Extension Agent.

Following the tours, Shumaker visited with area Extension volunteers at an informal reception. Present were representatives of the local Master Gardener Program, adult volunteers with the Lawrence County 4-H Program, and representatives of the Family Consumer Education Club, Community Club council, and 4-H Honor Club. 4-H is the youth development program for the UT Agricultural Extension Service. The largest program in the nation, the Tennessee 4-H Program boasts some 187,000 members across the state.

Local community leaders, including members of the Lawrence County Agriculture Committee, also attended the reception.

Shumaker's visit concluded with a tour of the office's outdoor classroom. Local Extension workers and volunteers use the facility to demonstrate turf management, vegetable production, and composting techniques.

Also participating in the day's events were Herb Lester, supervisor for UT Extension's Central District; Dr. Latif Lighari, associate administrator of the Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension program; Jim Stewart, Extension Central District agricultural program leader; Ken Sandrell, president of Lawrence County Cattlemen's Association; and Tracy Hagan, Lawrence County 4-H Agent.

Tom Benson, a Summertown farmer and Master Gardener and a former state Commissioner of economic and Community Development also joined the group. During the morning Benson served as a local representative in the Governor's Jobs Cabinet.

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Contacts: Calvin Bryant, 931-762-5506; Patricia McDaniels, 865-974-7141