Tyson Raper Named Tennessee Extension Cotton Specialist

By Jim Steadman|June 26, 2014

Tyson Raper has joined the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture as Extension cotton and small grains specialist.

In this role, Raper will lead the university’s education and research efforts involving cotton, wheat and other small grain crops. He will also work closely with producers and agricultural industry groups to promote practices for improved crop profitability and sustainability.

Raper – who will hold the title assistant professor of cotton and small grain production – will be based at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson, where he will oversee the UT Variety Trial sites, implement research programs, coordinate educational events and develop training materials and other publications. He will also serve a statewide clientele through a joint research and extension appointment in the Department of Plant Sciences.

A native of Alabama, Raper graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Agricultural Business and Economics. He completed his M.S. in Agronomy at Mississippi State University and received his Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas.

“I’m very excited to begin serving the producers, consultants and agents of Tennessee alongside the great faculty and staff located at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center,” said Raper. “In my opinion, we are on the brink of big changes in crop production systems. I’m looking forward to helping the state’s producers navigate and adapt during these exciting times.”