Thomas K. Hill
Professor Emeritus
Thomas K. Hill is a Professor in the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries. His appointment is (100%) extension with responsibilities for educational programs in fisheries and aquaculture for the entire state. His major interests are management of balanced fish populations in farm ponds and aquaculture. He joined the University of Tennessee faculty in August, 1978.
A native of Davidson County in middle Tennessee, Hill earned a B.S. degree in Agriculture from Middle Tennessee State College in 1954. He farmed with dairy, beef, swine, and row crop enterprises in Rutherford County from 1954-1966. In the latter part of his farming career, he returned to Middle Tennessee State University and was awarded an M.A. degree in Biology and a Certificate in Education in January, 1966. He sold his farming interests and continued his education at Auburn University where he earned a Ph.D. degree in Fisheries Management in 1970.
After graduating at Auburn University, Hill was employed by the University of Georgia. He worked at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station where he initiated and developed research projects on recirculation systems for aquaculture. A highlight of his work was development of a double-crop procedure whereby channel catfish were grown in the summer months and rainbow trout in the winter months. Other projects that Hill worked on included genetic improvement of channel catfish, high density culture of channel catfish in cages and culture of American eels. Research results were published in various technical as well as well-known popular publications. He also presented research information at many state, regional, national and international professional meetings. He has participated in international aquaculture activities in Japan, Brazil, Mexico, and China. Hill is certified as a Fisheries Scientist by the American Fisheries Society.
Hill returned to Tennessee in 1978 as the first full-time Fisheries Extension Specialist at the University. He has developed and presented many educational programs throughout the state for both adult and youth audiences. He has authored numerous Extension publications, fact sheets, feature articles, and news stories relating to fisheries and aquaculture. He works with Extension professionals in all Tennessee counties, industry organizations, national and state agencies, consumer groups, and individuals to provide research based information about fish and fish products.
Hill is an active member of the American Fisheries Society, Southern Division AFS, Gamma Sigma Delta, Sigma Xi, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Tennessee Chapter AFS, Tennessee Association of Agriculture Agents and Specialists, and Tennessee Aquaculture Association. He was recently appointed to serve on the Tennessee Aquaculture Advisory Board.
Hill enjoys fishing, hunting, boating and other sports. He particularly
likes woodworking and refinishing antique furniture. Hill and his wife,
Betty, live in Knoxville. He and Betty are members of Laurel Church of
Christ where Tom serves as an elder. They have four children and eight
grandchildren.
