About MTSU's Pioneering Small Farm Initiative

MTSU's Small Farm stands as a testament to innovation, community engagement, and sustainable agriculture. This small farming project was conceived with the dual purpose of serving local consumers and educating regional producers about the intricacies of small farming, our initiative has progressively grown into a hub of knowledge and fresh produce.

The farm, initially the brainchild of Dr. Song Cui, the Small Farm Director and professor of Digital Agriculture, has since flourished into a collaborative space where additional departments can work together on research and serving the community. We pride ourselves on being more than just a farm; we're a dynamic platform that welcomes research from various departments, from plant specific research such as the American ginseng plant to automated robotics and computer modeling. This is an environment of continuous learning and exploration.

MTSU Small Farm at the Beginning circa 2021 By 2023, the MTSU Small Farm has grown considerably!<< We started building out the farm from basically a blank slate. ^^ Through gradual advancements and building, we have built a lasting and thriving farm!

Meet Our Farmers & Researchers

To truly understand the spirit of our farm, one must get acquainted with the passionate individuals who till it's soil, nurture it's crops, and drive its mission forward. Here is a glimpse into the lives of our dedicated team:

Dr. Song Cui, PhD Agronomy and Crop Science Chris Hall, Farm Manager and CSA Director

Dr. Song Cui

Farm Director
Professor - Digital Agriculture
Ph.D, Agronomy and Crop Science

Chris Hall

Farm Manager and CSA Director
BS Plant and Soil Science

Robert Conner, MSc Data Science Carly Altman, PhD Math and Science Education

Robert Conner

Graduate Research Assistant
MSc Data Science (Attending)
BS Plant and Soil Science

Carly Altman

Graduate Teaching Assistant
PhD. Math and Science Education (Attending)
MEd, Agriculture Leadership

 

Student Workers: 
Tyler Lansford - Research Assistant
Lanie Gallaher - Student Assistant