[232] MTEC agriculture courses take education to the country

FOR RELEASE: Jan. 9, 2013

EDITORIAL CONTACT: Gina Logue, 615-898-5081, gina.logue@mtsu.edu

MTEC agriculture courses take education to the country

MURFREESBORO – If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to jumpstart a new career or become more knowledgeable in your current job, Middle Tennessee Education Center in Shelbyville has opportunities galore.

This month, MTEC, which is a joint project of MTSU and Motlow State Community College, will offer four agriculture classes designed for students interested in one of the most diversified fields in the Tennessee economy.

“This could be your chance to turn your life around,” said Dr. Warren Gill, chair of the MTSU Department of Agribusiness and Agriscience. “We want to change people’s lives for the better, make them into better citizens, make them more successful, set them up to make more money.”

In the Spring 2013 semester, MTEC will offer Agriculture in Our Lives, Soil, Introduction to Agribusiness and Elements of Animal Science.

Dr. Warren Anderson of MTSU will teach the soil class. Gill will teach Agriculture in Our Lives.

“It’s a course specifically designed for juniors and seniors to learn how agriculture works in the real world,” Gill said.

Students will learn outside the classroom on trips to an extension office, a Farm Bureau office and a working farm operation.

Doyle Meadows, former chief executive officer of the Shelbyville-based Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, will teach two courses, Introduction to Agribusiness and Elements of Animal Science.

“From my perspective, I’m a traditional teacher,” said Meadows. “I want students to have an opportunity to learn and grow.”

Meadows earned his bachelor’s degree at West Texas State University in 1970 and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Texas A & M University in 1974 and 1979, respectively.

Bedford County Mayor Eugene Ray says MTEC has obvious benefits for students in Bedford and surrounding counties.

“You get smaller classes, more attention, spend less time driving and more time studying,” Ray said.

That’s what makes MTEC a non-threatening way for people who haven’t been to school in years to stick their toes in the water and find out what they can learn.

“Our community should back MTEC,” said Meadows. “There’ll never be a better opportunity to improve our quality of life.”

MTEC is located at 200 Dover St. in Shelbyville. For information on how to enroll, contact MTEC at 931-685-4444. For more information on agriculture courses, contact Gill at 615-898-2404 or warren.gill@mtsu.edu.

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