Thursday, April 2, 2009

Buying the Farm

This is not just any farm. It's Cherokee Farm, part of the University of Tennessee's agriculture program. And it's about to change.

The University has plans to build a technology center in place of the dairy farm, partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to bring research in sustainable energy, neutron science, biomedical and other technologies to the school. Students will be able to conduct research projects in partnership with ORNL scientists.

During site preparation, archaeologists found evidence of prehistoric American Indian villages along the banks of the Tennessee River that date from 1300 to possibly 5000 B.C. This area will be preserved as an historic site.

The project is scheduled to be completed sometime in 2011. The University plans to attract private technology companies and more jobs to the region because of the research that will go on here.

And if you're wondering where the cows will go, they've been moved to another UT agriculture campus.

3 comments:

Lowell said...

Well, I'm glad the land is to be put to good use. I almost had a cow when I heard they were getting rid of the farm.

Petrea Burchard said...

What an interesting post! The discovery of an archaeological site is a major thrill.

Hilda said...

Sounds like a very exciting future for the university. I hope they can do some good for our world.