UTM Ag Facility Included in Proposed State Budget

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released his proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which includes an investment of $4.23 million to develop the University of Tennessee at Martin Cattle Outreach and Workforce (COW) Facility.

Announced at the State of the State Address, Gov. Lee’s proposed budget of $311 million – paired with $39 million in university support – includes ambitious and historic investments to support the future of Tennessee. 

These investments into the future of agricultural education at UT Martin will support the future of agriculture, the state’s top industry. Tennessee is one of the top beef cattle-producing states in the nation, with beef cattle produced in every county in the state.

UT Martin’s herd of black and white cattle – affectionately called “Oreo cows” – currently call outdated facilities home. Dr. Todd Winters, dean of the UT Martin College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, developed the proposal for the COW Facility.

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