Students from the MTSU College of Agribusiness and Agriscience, including students from the Plant and Soil Science Club, pressed 200 pounds of grapes Aug. 23 at the Tennessee State Veterans Home.
The red, seeded grapes were grown in the university’s experimental vineyard on the north end of the Rutherford County Extension Office property at the corner of Gresham Lane and John Rice Boulevard. The vineyard was made possible by a 2005 agreement establishing it as the only joint Tennessee Board of Regents/University of Tennessee system experimental, agricultural venture.
Dr. Tony Johnston, associate professor of food science and agribusiness and enology consultant, said the small table-top press can accommodate two gallons of fruit. The residents of the veterans’ home will use the juice to make jelly.