Tara Slusher joined the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture’s Marketing and Communications team in April 2020. Prior to joining the Institute, Tara worked in local and national TV production as a producer before moving into the world of account management for corporate clients. She began her career in broadcast television in Knoxville, serving as a field producer and videographer on the show "Style" for WBIR-TV. She found that her skills in meeting tight on-air deadlines and wrangling on-camera talent as a producer transitioned very well into organizing project demands and communicating with clients. A native of Tampa, Florida, Tara received her undergraduate degree in mass communications from the University of South Florida. She is a seventh-generation Floridian and a proud descendent of multiple generations of farmers. While Tara has a "green heart," she sometimes has a "black thumb" and is excited to learn valuable tips from the expertise within UT Extension. In her spare time, Tara enjoys exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, listening to live local music, and spending time with her family.