ROTM | Managing Growth and Protecting Farmland

In this episode, we sit down with Josh Suddath from the University of Tennessee’s Center for Planning to explore one of the biggest challenges facing the state today: how to manage rapid population growth without losing the farmland and rural character that make Tennessee unique. As more people move into the state, communities are under increasing pressure to expand housing, infrastructure, and services. But growth without a plan can lead to sprawl, strained resources, and the loss of valuable agricultural land. Josh shares how the UT Center for Planning works with cities and counties across Tennessee to help them think ahead, make informed decisions, and create strategies that balance development with preservation.