UofM Symposium Finds Fertile Ground in Ag Economy 

New ACRE Institute Plants Seeds of Innovation, Collaboration 

September 20, 2024 – The University of Memphis’s newly established Institute for Agricultural and Conservation Research and Education (ACRE) kicked off its inaugural symposium Thursday, planting the seeds of innovation and collaboration with an eager audience invested in agriculture and conservation. 

With opening day speakers who included Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Memphis Mayor Paul Young, the overarching message conveyed was the resurgent agricultural economy in Tennessee.  

The business side of agriculture, which has existed in the state for well over a century, is experiencing an innovation-focused revival thanks in part to ACRE. 

The two-day symposium introduced ACRE’s director, leading plant geneticist Jennifer Mandel, PhD, and associate directors Chris Ramezanpour, MPP, and Shawn Brown, PhD. The trio is a prime example of how a collaborative community of scientists, engineers, businesses and other stakeholders can help develop groundbreaking solutions to critical challenges in food, agriculture, conservation and sustainability.  

To that end, ACRE’s mission is to serve as a growth engine for agriculture and conservation research and development, STEM education and workforce development in Memphis and the Mid-South.  

“ACRE is all about bringing together researchers, students, and our community to address pressing questions on agriculture and conservation,” said Mandel. “I am so grateful to the people who have made this idea a reality. We are looking forward to engaging in impactful research and training the next generation scientists and leaders.” 

During the symposium’s opening session, UofM President Bill Hardgrave took the opportunity to announce Mandel as UofM’s first William B. Billy Dunavant Foundation endowed chair in Agritech and Regenerative Agriculture. 

A $5.5 million gift from the estate of alumnus William B. “Billy” Dunavant (’54) made that and four other endowed chairs possible. A world-renowned Memphis cotton merchant, Dunavant passed away Sept. 11, 2021, at the age of 88. 

His widow, Tommie Dunavant, was the first to congratulate Mandel. 

ACRE’s vision to put Tennessee on the map was echoed by Gov. Lee, who called Memphis and Shelby County the center of the universe for the future of agriculture. 

“This place is resource rich, with farmland and the Mississippi River,” Lee, a cattle farmer said. “It is the exporter of products that help feed the world.” 

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MEDIA CONTACT: 
Jennifer Godwin 
Director of Media and Public Relations 
jennifer.godwin@memphis.edu 
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