Features Home Page Features Archives Event Photos

MCS Third Grade Visit MTSU
Monday, June 18, 2018



Approximately 600 Murfreesboro City School third-graders from six schools experienced MTSU farm life during a field trip on Wednesday. The field trip is the culminating event for third grade as part of the Farm to School curriculum.

About half of the Murfreesboro City Schools third-graders learned about the MTSU gardens while the rest took in the dairy portion of the university’s Experiential Learning and Research Center. Unfortunately, weather conditions prevented the remaining schools to attend the farm field trip

The student experience included learning about cows, calves and other farm animals, drinking chocolate milk from the MT Dairy, making crafts out of dried beans, churning butter and learning, the necessity of honey bees, as well as about farm equipment and many aspects of the working farm located in Lascassas, Tennessee.

“The field trip is only one part of the Farm to School program that spans throughout the year,” says Darla Sampson, MCS Coordinated School Health Coordinator. “Our program includes gardening, classroom curriculum, Chef Academy and more activities for learning throughout the year.” MTSU students and professors shared information about the dairy, the garden and life on a farm. The farm was divided into educational stations including tractor and equipment safety, dairy production, educational crafts, garden areas, grain production, honey bees, and making butter.

“Farm to School programs are a great way to get students excited about healthy eating and learning about food production,” says Sandy Scheele, MCS Coordinator of Nutrition. Farm to school enriches the connection students and communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers. Students gain access to healthy, local foods as well as education opportunities such as school gardens, cooking lessons and farm field trips.

Farm to School field trip is a partnership with MTSU and MCS. Volunteers from Farm Credit Mid America and the Rutherford County Health Department participated in the education stations. The Farm Bureau Ag Simulator was a new aspect of the event this year.

More Stories

  • Editors Letter

    If you know me, you know I’m a big sports fan. And it doesn’t get much better than March — with The Masters and the NCAA Basketball Tournament. While we’re not covering those events in this issue, we do hope you’ll enjoy flipping through these pages and catching up on the many wonderful things happening right here in Murfreesboro. Read More

  • Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Delivering a Legacy of Care

    At Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford, families have long begun their stories in our care. As our community grows, so does our commitment to providing an exceptional birth experience. We are improving the hospital spaces devoted to Women’s and Obstetric Services, creating a modern, welcoming, state-of-the-art environment that elevates every step of the birthing journey and reflects our commitment to exceptional, family-centered care. Read More

  • Cavender’s Boot City Expands Operations in Middle Tennessee

    Cavender’s Boot City, the premier destination for authentic Western Wear, is excited to announce its newest location in Murfreesboro, TN, which officially opened on Friday, February 20, 2026. This is the retailers, trusted for more than 60 years for its iconic brands, fifth store in the Volunteer State. Read More

  • Drs. Saraswat and Family Critical Care Waiting Room Refresh

    The Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation recently funded a $62,972 project to refresh the Drs. Saraswat and Family Critical Care Waiting Room within the Gordon B. Ferguson CCU, replacing existing furniture to better serve patients and families. The new furnishings provide greater comfort and support for visitors who often spend long, emotional hours waiting, helping ease stress and anxiety during an especially vulnerable time. Read More