TFC Farm announces New Equipment and Future Plans

By Toccoa Falls College (TFC)

Toccoa Falls College continues to experience exciting growth throughout campus. The Lawson Center for Sustainable Community Development received a grant earlier this year, providing an opportunity to upgrade operations and expand the curriculum into new areas, including farm machinery, solar energy, agroforestry, and cattle. 

The Lawson Center welcomed a new John Deere tractor, allowing much needed plowing and planting in broader areas for future sheep and cattle. As well as respective, fast-growing cover crops and forage plants for bees.

A Gator utility vehicle was added to the farm, and Scott Davis, Lawson Center Farm Manager, explains, “It will be very helpful for carrying supplies around and doing jobs on the farm. The students are very excited about this. It will be great to drive over to the barn for chores and to give tours to prospective students.”

These wonderful additions extend beyond the fields and into the classroom. Forest Schell, Global Ministries Department Chair, states, “The addition of farming machinery allows us to teach tractor safety, maintenance, and usage. Students have the opportunity to graduate with the ability to operate a tractor.”

Putting knowledge to action, Schell continues to explain, “We would like to implement an agricultural practice called Silvopasture, which is an approach that integrates grazing livestock in a manner that protects and preserves the forest. The Sustainable Community Development program will also partner with the School of Natural Science and Mathematics course, Forest Ecology and Management, to develop a management plan to achieve our goals. Much of this will happen towards the end of this year and into next year.”

Cattle chutes with associated gating will be an additional feature, allowing necessary shots and vaccinations while enhancing the safety of everyone involved and giving students an example of the standard procedures cattlemen use to care for their herd.

TFC is proud of the expansion plans and upcoming advancements for the Sustainable Community Development program, which will further enrich the additional concentrations in Agriculture & Conservation, Urban Development, and Discipleship.

For more information on this program, visit https://tfc.edu/degree/sustainable-community-development/ and be sure to watch the featured video to get a glimpse of the strong departmental partnerships.