{"id":2006,"date":"2026-06-09T16:39:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T20:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/?p=2006"},"modified":"2026-06-09T16:39:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T20:39:20","slug":"kevin-thompson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/utia.tennessee.edu\/spotlights\/kevin-thompson\/","title":{"rendered":"Kevin Thompson"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Centers at Spring Hill and Lewisburg director facilitates impactful precision livestock research and data-driven innovation<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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Where are you from, and how did your education and career lead you to the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Centers (at Lewisburg <\/a>and at Spring Hill<\/a>)?\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An East Tennessee native, I was born in Hamblen County on the last large feed lot in Tennessee located along the Nolichucky River. I was raised around beef cattle and horses my entire life and grew a passion for both animals, admiring their beneficial use for mankind. I had the opportunity to explore a wide range of perspectives in animal agricultural production, first from my father, then from many great professors while earning both my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in animal science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.<\/p>\n\n\n

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As director of both the Spring Hill and Lewisburg locations, what does a typical day look like for you? <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No day is the same as the day before or the day to follow. The greatest joy I have is to be involved in agricultural production, just like our stakeholders, with the addition of imposing research trials upon these activities.<\/p>\n\n\n

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What inspired you to work in the field of agricultural research? <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n