[412] MTSU Sustainable Agriculture Class Plants Trees to Improve River's Water Quality

For release: April 20, 2012 News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu Sustainable agriculture class contact: Dr. Wendy Francesconi, 615-898-5833 or Wendy.Francesconi@mtsu.edu MTSU sustainable agriculture class plants trees to improve river’s water quality MURFREESBORO — Just in time for Earth Day, lecturer Dr. Wendy Francesconi in the MTSU School of Agribusiness and Agriscience and her sustainable agriculture class are using the warm spring weather to get outside and work at the Middle Tennessee State University farm. The students have been planting buttonbush and cottonwood trees to help improve the water quality of the nearby East Fork of the Stones River. Earth Day is Sunday, April 22. MTSU Earth Day-related events and efforts were celebrated since April 13. The Center for Environmental Education will participate in the Saturday, April 21, Earl Day event from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. outside the Rutherford County Courthouse in downtown Murfreesboro. Francesconi's class planted rows of trees at the MTSU farm off Guy James Road in Lascassas on Wednesday, April 4. One row served as a living fence along the old farm road. Another, planted along the river, will increase the area of the riparian buffer strip between land and the river, which, Francesconi says, will further the sustainability of the MTSU farm. "Most non-ag students would probably have an old-fashioned image of farming,” says global-studies major Elizabeth Grady, one of Francesconi's students. “I would encourage them to go out to the farm for field days and get a tour." “The MTSU farm is becoming a role model for sustainable farming," Francesconi says. “The farm currently uses clean energy technology, rotational cattle grazing and nutrient recycling practices. The farm is also engaged in the organic production of fruit and vegetables as well as in the production of alternative farm goods such as honey.” She says planting trees along the river is important for both wildlife and people. “Planting trees or shrubs along the river is important to help trap sediments and nutrients from the farm operations,” Francesconi says. “The trees can also help stabilize the river bank, remove excess water during the rainy season through evapotranspiration and provide habitat to many birds and beneficial insects and wildlife in general, and make our farms and landscapes a much more beautiful place. The tree enrichment of the riparian buffer is part of the course curriculum. The students had to design their own tree-planting plan that will restore their assigned portion of the river edge. With proper execution, each student's design will help limit some of the erosion that occurs often during flooding season. Francesconi joined MTSU's faculty in January 2011 as a Minority Dissertation Fellow, which is an initiative from the provost’s office to provide minority graduate students with the opportunity to improve their teaching skills. She calls teaching at MTSU "a wonderful experience," and her students seem to agree. Before class even began, they enthusiastically discussed a new study on ways of disposing of waste. One student mentioned that she had so much to say on her mid-term exam, she added extra pages to the test. With such a passionate group of farmers, the MTSU farm is sure to reap more benefits in the future. Grady says she feels “sad that this is Wendy's last semester at MTSU. She brings fun, energy and excitement to her class. She is also very well informed and educated in a diverse field of agriculture and sciences. Coming from Colombia also helps her to bring a world viewpoint to bear on agricultural practices.” ### PHOTO CAPTIONS (Students plant trees1.jpg) As part of a sustainable agriculture class, Courtney Bowers, left, and Claire Barnett plant a row of trees that will serve as a living fence along the old farm road adjacent to the East Fork of the Stones River that flows through the MTSU farm off Guy James Road in Lascassas. The students planted buttonbush and cottonwood trees to help improve the river’s water quality. Barnett is a senior agribusiness major from Normandy, Tenn., while Bowers is a junior animal science major from Ooltewah, Tenn. (Photo by Randy Weiler/MTSU News and Media Relations) (Ag class group.jpg) Sustainable agriculture class members take a break from planting buttonbush and cottonwood trees to help improve the water quality of the East Fork of the Stones River at the MTSU farm off Guy James Road in Lascassas in early April. (Photo by Randy Weiler/MTSU News and Media Relations) (Kimberly Foster.jpg) Sustainable agriculture class member Kimberly Foster of Murfreesboro plants trees to help improve water quality of the East Fork of the Stones River that flows through the MTSU Farm off Guy James Road in Lascassas. (Photo by Randy Weiler/MTSU News and Media Relations) The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU celebrates its 100th anniversary, Pride, Tradition and Excellence are the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"! ------- For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.