Message from the Dean
Welcome to the UT Extension website. Whether helping agricultural producers operate prosperous enterprises, empowering families to successfully address the social determinants of health, or providing youth with the hands-on learning experiences needed to transition into successful adults, UT Extension is here for you. Our staff work hard every day to make Tennessee a better place to live, work and raise a family. With employees located in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties, more than a dozen academic departments and centers, and four 4-H Youth Development Centers, our team of over 1,000 staff members are focused on serving the people of Tennessee and beyond. Our website is designed to help you connect with your local Extension professionals. Our goal is to deliver educational programming that helps you make informed decisions and identify solutions to improve your everyday life.
Our Mission
UT Extension’s mission is to help Tennesseans improve their quality of life and solve problems through the application of research and evidence based knowledge about agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, and community development.
Our Vision
UT Extension is the premier educational organization for all Tennesseans. Extension increases economic prosperity, improves environmental sustainability, and enhances well-being in rural and urban communities.
About Extension
Follow any road in Tennessee and you’ll find people whose lives have been influenced by UT Extension’s educational programs. Extension agents live and work in every county in the state. They help people solve problems and lead richer, more productive lives. Agents are the two-way link between Tennesseans, both urban and rural, and the University of Tennessee. UT Extension has a 110-year history of evolving to meet the changing needs of the state. As the outreach unit of the UT Institute of Agriculture, UT Extension provides a gateway to the resources of the University of Tennessee. UT Extension is a county-based, statewide educational organization that is funded by federal, state, and local governments to achieve the mission of providing unbiased, research-based information to the people of Tennessee where they live and work. Because Extension emphasizes helping people improve their livelihood where they are located, most Tennesseans have contact with UT Extension through their local county Extension agents found in each of the state’s 95 counties. Extension agents are supported by a network of university faculty and subject matter specialists and the educational and research resources of the University of Tennessee as part of the Land Grant University system.
Our Core Values
UT Extension serves society using high quality educational programs that improve Tennessee’s quality of life, economy and environment. UT Extension employees, volunteers and partners are people of integrity. In all of our efforts, we value communication and responsiveness.
Our Organizational Principles
As UT Extension we …
- Are the gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture.
- Are a statewide educational organization with an office in every county.
- Are members of a team that includes employees, volunteers and partners.
- Are responsible for advancing Tennessee and committed to team decisions.
- Are public servants who make wise decisions regarding time and resources.
- Encourage listening and mutual respect.
- Support diversity and inclusivity in people and programs.
- Use technology and promote lifelong learning to improve the lives, environment and economy for all Tennesseans.
- Strive for excellence in all things.
State Leadership
Eastern Region Leadership
Central Region Leadership
Western Region Leadership
Administrative Staff
