MTSU Agritourism Winter Village promotes agriculture to children [+VIDEO]

More than 200 children were among the nearly 500 people attending the annual MTSU Agritourism Winter Village in the Tennessee Livestock Center on Greenland Drive.

The youngsters enjoyed crafts, seeing animals — including cows, pigs and a pony — and learning where their food comes from. A visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus also provided a photo opportunity.

Kase Curtis, 2½, right, of Rockvale, Tenn., touched the face of the oversized MTSU Dairy Science Club cow during the recent Winter Village in the Tennessee Livestock Center on Greenland Drive. He was being held by his mother, Lacey Curtis. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

Kase Curtis, 2½, right, of Rockvale, Tenn., touches the oversized MTSU Dairy Science Club cow during the recent Winter Village in the Tennessee Livestock Center on Greenland Drive. He’s held by his mother, Lacey Curtis. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

Winter Village, a project for the MTSU Agritourism Club, gives children an opportunity to learn about agriculture, make Christmas crafts and see live animals, all under one roof.

“We’re already looking forward to next year,” said Alanna Vaught, an MTSU School of Agriculture instructor and the event director. “Winter Village was very successful, considering it’s a very busy weekend for people.”

The total crowd of 488 people attending on Dec. 7 included 227 adults accompanying 203 children, plus 68 volunteers, Vaught said.

Eric Weatherly, 7, of La Vergne, Tenn., spent time with Santa and Mrs. Claus (aka Tom and Debbie Strobel) at the MTSU Agritourism Club’s recent Winter Village in the Tennessee Livestock Center on Greenland Drive. Weatherly is the son of Stacy and Jessie Weatherly. Jessie Weatherly is a specialist in the MTSU chemistry lab. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

Eric Weatherly, 7, of La Vergne, Tenn., spends time with Santa and Mrs. Claus (aka Tom and Debbie Strobel) at the MTSU Agritourism Club’s recent Winter Village in the Tennessee Livestock Center on Greenland Drive. Weatherly is the son of Stacy and Jessie Weatherly. Jessie Weatherly is a specialist in the MTSU chemistry lab. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

As part of the “admission,” the agritourism club collected donations for the MTSU Student Food Pantry, located in the MTSU One Stop in the Student Services and Admissions Center.

Vaught said next year’s Winter Village will be held Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020.

For more information, call 615-898-2523 or visit www.mtsu.edu/agriculture.

The School of Agriculture is one of 11 departments and schools in the College of Basic and Applied Sciences at MTSU.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

Mom Sara Kedanu, left, of Nashville, Tenn., helped her son Luke Wynne, 3, collect fruits and vegetables in the Little Acres section of the MTSU Agritourism Club’s Winter Village Dec. 7 in the Tennessee Livestock Center on Greenland Drive. Wynne’s father, Daniel Wynne, is an assistant director in housing and residential life at MTSU. Held annually, Winter Village is one of Luke Wynne’s “favorite things to do during Christmas,” Sara Kedanu said. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

Mom Sara Kedanu, left, of Nashville, Tenn., helps her son Luke Wynne, 3, center, collect fruits and vegetables in the Little Acres section of the MTSU Agritourism Club’s Winter Village Dec. 7 in the Tennessee Livestock Center on Greenland Drive. Wynne’s father, Daniel Wynne, is an assistant director in MTSU’s Housing and Residential Life. Sara Kenadu said the annual Winter Village is one of Luke’s “favorite things to do during Christmas.” (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

Volunteers for the Dec. 7 Winter Village held in the Tennessee Livestock Center on Greenland Drive gathered following the event for a group photo. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

Volunteers for the Dec. 7 Winter Village held in the Tennessee Livestock Center on Greenland Drive gather following the event for a group photo. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)