About
The Herbert College of Agriculture has a rich history of educating future leaders in agriculture, natural resources, and construction sciences who continue to make an impact on Tennessee and beyond.
Message from the Dean
Welcome to the Herbert College of Agriculture!
As dean of the college, I am extremely proud of the rich tradition of providing practical, experiential-based education that has been our hallmark since our original agricultural courses of study were offered back in 1871.
Herbert boasts a vibrant student body of more than 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students, dedicated staff, and nationally renowned faculty who are committed to fulfilling the twenty-first century land-grant mission to increase the well-being of our nation and our planet. The college is fortunate to be part of the UT Institute of Agriculture, which exists as part of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The UT Institute of Agriculture provides Real. Life. Solutions. to some of society’s most pressing issues.
The Herbert College of Agriculture provides quality education offering not only engaging academic experiences within the classroom, but also opportunities to obtain international exposure, internships, experiential research, and service learning in seven academic departments and one school. The college offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and provides hands-on learning in a family atmosphere aimed at developing future leaders to meet the many challenges facing our natural resources and agricultural enterprises.
Knoxville is nestled in the valley of the Great Smoky Mountains, only an hour from some of the best views and hiking in the south. Plus, there is always something to do downtown or across the region! Knoxville has been identified as one of the top 100 places to live and one of the best places for businesses and careers.
It is an exciting time to be part of the Volunteer community, and I invite all of you who are interested to explore our college further either online or through a campus visit.
We hope you make Herbert your home.
Go Vols!
David White, Dean of the Herbert College of Agriculture
Our Mission
The Herbert College of Agriculture educates and prepares students to lead personally satisfying lives as productive members of society with emphasis on careers in the agricultural, environmental, life, and social sciences.
Our Vision
Develop VOLunteers who raise the standard as global servant leaders in agriculture, natural resources, and construction sciences, and who:
- Make a difference by creating Real. Life. Solutions.
- Demonstrate state, regional, and global impact
- Live the land-grant mission
Our Values
Integrity – To maintain integrity, we conduct ourselves with honesty, consistency, and morality.
Personal Development – We give our people the tools to succeed, and provide leadership opportunities with the realization that every first effort may not lead to complete success.
Innovation – We embrace change and creativity, challenge each other, as well as create and adopt new and novel methods and technologies.
Our Strategic Plan
The Herbert College of Agriculture is in the process of updating a new five-year strategic plan, which will align with both UTIA and UT Knoxville.
Our History
Agriculture has been a part of the curriculum at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, since 1871, and offered under different structures, including the Department of Agriculture, School of Agriculture, College of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Home Economics, and in 1991, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. In June 2018, the college underwent its most recent name change to the Herbert College of Agriculture in recognition of the generosity of Jim and Judi Herbert.
Caula Beyl joined the college as dean in 2007. At the time, the college was under the leadership of Mary Albrecht, associate dean, who reported to the vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Joe DiPietro, who had assumed his position only one year before that. Beyl was the first dean of the new leadership team hired by DiPietro. When she was hired, she was given three primary tasks: 1) increase the enrollment to more than 1,000 undergraduate students, 2) raise the visibility of the college across campus, and 3) bring in new revenue to support programs and students. When the college underwent its external review in 2018, recommendations included developing entrepreneurial enterprises such as online programs and more general education courses, reviewing faculty teaching efforts and revising as appropriate, enhancing student retention and graduation rates, increasing recognition of the colleges’ alumni success, strengthening commitment to undergraduate research and graduate education, and increasing the number of students, staff, faculty and administration.
Beyl retired in December 2022, after which David White stepped in as interim dean. During his interim appointment for two years, the college experienced growth in enrollment, programming, and presence both statewide and nationally. White previously served as interim head of the college’s Department of Food Science in 2019 after serving as associate dean for UT AgResearch. In January 2025, White became the official dean of the Herbert College of Agriculture.
