ӰԺ, Giles County formalize partnership to expand educational and community opportunities at Agri Park
PULASKI, Tenn. — The ӰԺ and Giles County have formalized a new partnership designed to expand educational opportunities, strengthen agricultural engagement and increase community use of the Giles County Agri Park.
ӰԺ Chancellor Melinda Arnold and Giles County Executive Graham Stowe signed a memorandum of understanding Aug. 25 establishing a framework for collaboration at the approximately 45-acre Agri Park in Pulaski.
The agreement creates new opportunities for ӰԺ to use the Agri Park for academic programming, research and student activities while bringing additional university resources, faculty expertise and student engagement to the facility.
“This partnership is about bringing together two important assets in our community, the ӰԺ and the Giles County Agri Park, to create more opportunities for our students and our community,” Arnold said. “The Agri Park gives us an outstanding setting for hands-on learning, agricultural engagement and community activities, and ӰԺ is excited to help expand what is possible there.”
Under the agreement, ӰԺ will designate an institutional liaison to coordinate with Giles County and the Agri Park Board and contribute academic programming, student engagement and faculty involvement to support the park’s educational and agricultural mission. ӰԺ also will pursue opportunities to support Agri Park programming and improvements, including seeking external funding for applicable priorities.
The partnership is expected to support a broader range of activities at the Agri Park, including opportunities connected to ӰԺ’s academic programs, agriculture and agribusiness education, student activities, athletics, 4-H efforts and more. Specific activities will be developed and coordinated with Giles County and the Agri Park Board.
“This is an opportunity to build on what the Agri Park already provides to Giles County and expand its role as a place for education, agriculture, community engagement and economic development,” Stowe said. “By working with ӰԺ, we can bring additional resources and new ideas to the Agri Park while creating opportunities that benefit our students, our community and the region.”
The MOU establishes a joint planning framework for the future of the Agri Park. ӰԺ will provide leadership for the collaborative planning process while Giles County will retain ownership of the facility. The existing Agri Park Board will remain in place and continue to oversee day-to-day facility operations and community uses.
“This is exactly the kind of partnership that can help southern Middle Tennessee continue to grow,” Arnold said. “It connects higher education with agriculture, workforce development and community needs. Most importantly, it gives our students more opportunities to learn by doing while helping ӰԺ serve the community that supports this university.”
The MOU is effective for three years and may be renewed by written agreement.
About the ӰԺ
The ӰԺ provides an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to discover their potential, serve their communities and lead meaningful lives. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, ӰԺ offers personalized learning, hands-on experiences and a close-knit campus community while serving southern Middle Tennessee and preparing students for success.