[97] Public can view MTSU Dairy, farm in action Sept. 27 at Ag Field Day

For release:  Sept. 24, 2012

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu

School of Agribusiness and Agriscience contact: Dr. Warren Gill, 615-898-2404 or Warren.Gill@mtsu.edu

 
MURFREESBORO — In September 2011, about 500 people attended the grand opening of the new MTSU Dairy.

On Thursday, Sept. 27, people can see and hear the dairy in action — and the rest of the MTSU Farm in Lascassas, too.

The annual Ag Field Day, which showcases the MTSU Experiential Learning and Research Center, will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the farm, which is located at 3211 Guy James Rd.

The public is invited to the event, which will feature demonstrations and tours of the many student-centered activities that are being conducted and the facilities that have been added or improved. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Visit http://www.mtsu.edu/abas/ and click on the upcoming events item for the Ag Field Day for the list of activities.

School of Agribusiness and Agriscience Director Warren Gill said attendees should once again be excited at what they will view at the dairy.

“This has been an amazing success story,” Gill said. “The move (from Manson Pike) has been successful because it is very student-friendly and because cow comfort measures have been extremely successful.

“Tim Redd (farm lab director) will be giving details about how production has been improved, cows are happier and it has been done in a sustainable, responsible manner.”

At the $4.3 million dairy, Gill said the public “will be able to see live milking in action.” At the farm, Gill said they “can tour the fall gardens, see the apiary, the honey process and see baby calves in the new calf barn.”

Since last year, many improvements have been made including a new entrance and fencing; new landscaping (areas are much more open); a new calf barn; the new student gardens and nursery; and the farm shop and equipment storage area has been completed.

Gill said the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program will be featured and the School of Ag will welcome Carol McDonald and Tom Womack from the state Department of Agriculture.

A number of sponsors will provide displays of their products, Gill said.

Now entering his sixth year as ag chair, Gill said he would like to thank the MTSU community for drinking the chocolate milk sold in Dwight’s Mini-Mart and the McCallie Dining Hall; attending the MTSU Student Farmers Market; supporting the poinsettia and perennial plant sales and buying MTSU honey.

The annual School of Agribusiness and Agriscience news magazine highlights many of these activities, including the 2011 dairy grand opening. To view online, visit http://www.mtsu.edu/abas/ and click on “2011-2012 ABAS newsletter.”

 

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Media welcomed

 

Photo captions

 

New entrance sign.jpg photo caption

 

New signage stands at the entrance to the MTSU Experiential Learning and Research Center at 3211 Guy James Road in Lascassas. (File photo by MTSU News and Media Relations)

 

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At the 1-year-old MTSU Dairy, student workers and employees use stanchions to feed and catch the cows. Ag Field Day attendees will see live milking in action. (File photo by MTSU News and Media Relations)

 

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As part of a sustainable agriculture class last spring, Courtney Bowers, left, a senior animal science major from Ooltewah, Tenn., and Claire Barnett, a senior agribusiness major from Normandy, Tenn., plant a row of trees at the MTSU Experiential Learning and Research Center. The cottonwood, buttonbush and ninebark trees 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. (MTSU file photo by MTSU News and Media Relations)

 

 

 

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For MTSU news and information any time, visit www.mtsunews.com.