Nate Phillips

nate.phillips@mtsu.edu

Jessica Carter

agriculture

Discipline specific equipment

The dairy processing unit will be installed between the horticulture bldg and the VoAg bldg. The co

N/A

N/A

The School of Agriculture requests funding for the following, in order of priority: 1) A USDA certified dairy processing container unit, which will enhance student education and provide workforce training in cultured dairy product production. The containerized MicroDairy Milk Processing System and programmable temperature-controlled circulators allow for hands-on instruction while producing fermented dairy products. The unit will also be utilized with the MTSU Food Systems Training Center (funded by a USDA grant) and in 15 departmental courses impacting ~100 students each semester. Campus planning has approved an installation site and we have additional funding ($45,000) for utility connection costs. 2) A penning and corral system at the beef unit. The current system is in ill repair and cannot be economically rejuvenated. This is a safety issue for both students and animal welfare. This system is used by all Animal Science majors (>300 students) as well as other students who take Livestock Management (ANSC 3440). 3) An LI-600 Porometer/Fluorometer, which will provide combined measurements of stomatal conductance and chlorophyll fluorescence, presenting a picture of a plant’s physiological state, will be purchased. It will be used to teach students agronomic and horticultural applications in 9 Plant and Soil Science courses impacting up to 150 students, plus ~20 undergraduate researchers. 4) A backhoe attachment for use in PLSO courses to better serve students' instructional needs. Multiple PLSO courses will greatly benefit, including PLSO 3330, 3340, 3350, 3700, 4310, 4340, 4350, 4370, 4690, 4730 and 4760, impacting 150+ students per year.