Agriculture has changed dramatically in 100 years, but the best way to learn about it will always be hands on. Tech’s two farms serve as outdoor classrooms where students learn to care for livestock, manage operations and grow produce.
The following photos contain a glimpse of life on Tech Farm in Cookeville and Millard Oakley’s farm in Livingston, which the university leases, through the eyes of students who work and learn there.
At the Oakley farm, TTU students and faculty work more than 1,000 acres. Professor Michael Best grows tomatoes and hydroponic basil, among other things, in three greenhouses. Over the summer, agriculture graduates Corie Wilson, ’14, and Kara Brady, ’15, helped Best weed, pick and sell the produce at the Chattanooga farmers market.
“Dr. Best helped me so much through the years that every time I get the chance to help him, I do,” said Wilson. “Also, you never know when you’ll learn something.”
In addition to occasional bald eagle sightings, Brady enjoys the hydroponic greenhouse because the smell of basil reminds her of pasta.
“For aggies, this is how you grew up,” Brady said. “Even in the greenhouse, it’s like picking tomatoes in my mom and dad’s garden. It feels like home.”
Shiloh Klingler, ’18 agriculture, is one of half a dozen student workers at Tech Farm. They tend to the cows, sheep and hogs; fix fences and the farm’s decades-old truck; and do “anything that’s necessary.”
Klinger wants to be a vet for farm animals and dogs. As a child, she was responsible for nursing sick lambs back to health on her family’s farm.
“Farmers live by these animals. There’s a respect that comes with that,” she said. “Yes, there’s a profit to live off but every decision you make affects whether that animal is alive tomorrow.”
Many agriculture students come to Tech with some farming experience, but the rolling acres are living classrooms. There, students learn about genetics hands-on: cows with bad tempers won’t be bred, nor will pigs with a small number of teats because farmers don’t want to pass on those traits. They learn how to run a farm and take turns working weekends. Even when an ice storm cancelled classes for a week, they didn’t get time off.
“What’s nice about the farm is it allows you to be more than just in the classroom.” V