Introduction

The UT Extension Plan File
The University of Tennessee Extension maintains a file of approximately 290 building and equipment plans. The plans are primarily available to residents of the state of Tennessee, but they can be supplied to others on a limited basis.

The plans came from many sources. Some were developed by The University of Tennessee Extension Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science Department, but most were developed in a cooperative effort with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Cooperative Farm Building Plan Exchange. The Plan Exchange no longer exists, but the plans remain on file and are available.

The plans developed at The University of Tennessee are based on the research and demonstration experiences of scientists at The University of Tennessee. The USDA plans generally originated at Land Grant Institutions across the country and were submitted to the Cooperative Farm Building Plan Exchange where they were edited and distributed to all states for use in their Extension education programs.

We have attempted to verify that each plan is appropriate for use in Tennessee. However, these plans are intended mainly for use as planning guides, and you should check with local authorities concerning building code and building permit requirements. Also, good construction practices should be followed when building from these or any other plans.

Using the plan list
This list was prepared to assist you in obtaining plans from The University of Tennessee Extension. Although many of the plans are for agricultural structures, a wide variety of building and equipment plans is available. The plans are arranged by subject to help you locate the plan(s) in which you are most interested.

The plan number (Plan No.) for each plan is given in the first column. It is very important to use this number and double check it when requesting or referring to these plans.

The second column shows the number of sheets (No. Pages) in each plan so you can make sure any plans you receive are complete.

A brief description (Plan Description) is given. Plans are difficult to describe with just a few words, but the description should help you further narrow your choices.

How to obtain plans
All of these plans are available through University of Tennessee Extension county offices. Many county offices will have copies of the more popular plans on hand. However, not all counties stock all plans, so you may have to allow a week to 10 days to receive your plans.

Although nearly all plans are available in "C" size (17 by 22 inches), most are now available in "A" size (8½ by 11 inches). There is currently no charge for our plans, but "A" size will be supplied unless the requested plan is only available in "C" size. You can further help reduce our costs by requesting only those plans which you expect to be useful. Again, be sure to use the plan number when requesting your plans.

If you prefer, plans may be requested directly from The University of Tennessee Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science Department by phone, mail or email at the following address:

Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science Department
The University of Tennessee
2506 E. J. Chapman Drive
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-4531

phone: 865-974-7237
email: ggrandle@utk.edu

A few of our plans are now available in electronic format for download; the rest must be mailed. So please include your mailing address with your request.