Mitchell Grows Agribusiness Program
Mitchell Community College announces plans to construct an urban farm to expand their Agribusiness program. “Located behind the current Workforce Development and Technology Center, the urban farm will be completed in two phases and will incorporate classes along the way to allow for an unique Contextual Learning Experience,” Mark Smalley Dean of the program explained.
The urban farm will host various systems (greenhouse, garden, raised beds) which allow students to experiment with growing methods and to observe the labor, time and material requirements for each. This gives students contextual learning opportunities in many different small-scale agricultural practices that can be extrapolated into real world and large scale experience. “We’re not just teaching how to farm, but how to make a living in agriculture; how to develop new agriculture business,” Dr. Tim Brewer, president of Mitchell noted.
The Mitchell urban farm is located within a “Food Desert” which is defined by the United State Department of Agriculture as “urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy and affordable food… The lack of access contributes to a poor diet and can lead to higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.” This is an opportunity for Mitchell Community College not only to serve and better the community but for Mitchell students to gain hands-on experience. Harvested crops can be donated to homeless shelters, retirement homes, individuals and/or can be sold at the local farmers market, at an on-site market or U-Pick on site in order for students to gain marketing experience. Raised beds, greenhouse and garden locations will all be handicap-accessible in order to open the facility to all members of the community.
To learn more about Agribusiness at Mitchell, contact Amy Poirier, program coordinator at (704) 878-3333 or apoirier@mitchellcc.edu. If you are interested in being a part of this and other opportunities to enrich Iredell County through Mitchell programs, please contact the Office of Development and College Relations at (704) 878-4321 or mccdevelopment@mitchellcc.edu.