When in Rome: Tennessee Ag Students Connect Ancient Building Techniques to Modern Agriculture

University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture students traveled to Italy to study Roman and medieval construction, gaining a unique global educational experience.

KNOXVILLE, TENN. (RFD News) — Students at the University of Tennessee are taking their agriculture knowledge beyond the classroom through international study.

During a recent trip to Italy, students explored other fields connected to agriculture, including construction.

The group participated in a Roman and Medieval Construction Era abroad program, spending two weeks in Rome and Florence. The experience focused on how ancient construction methods compare to modern-day building practices.

Students studied techniques such as brick and masonry work, along with structural elements like arches that remain common in construction today.

Student Nick Dunn says the program offered a rare opportunity.

“I chose to study abroad program because it was something unique to our major. It is the first time that we’re going to be doing this and coming to Rome.”

About 100 Herbert College of Agriculture students studied abroad over the past year. The program combines efforts from the college and the Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture.

In the past year, UT Herbert College of Agriculture faculty and students have visited countries including Argentina, Costa Rica, Croatia, and Greece.

UTIA’s Charles Denney reporting for RFD NEWS.

Related Stories
Museum explores how early car makers played a part in advancing agriculture
Dr. Jeffrey Gold with the University of Nebraska joined us to explain public health in rural communities and highlight resources residents can access to stay healthy
The thief pleaded guilty and received an eight-year sentence.
Farmers this year will finally be able to update their base acres with the USDA, something that experts warn must be done with complete accuracy.
During World War II, Augusta National Golf Club temporarily became a working farm, raising cattle and turkeys and harvesting pecans to support the war effort.
Moody Blooms grows more than 20 varieties of tulips and has opened its farm to the public as a spring agritourism destination in Texas.

Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
The Presley Family built Branson’s Original Show on the Strip. “Presleys’ Country Jubilee” was a smash hit, and people from across the country lined up every night for a chance to hear the country music and comedy the Presley Family loved to perform.
One of RFD Networks’ many efforts to showcase stellar American musical craftsmanship, “The Bluegrass Trail” showcases the greatest Bluegrass artists across the USA performing time-honored songs—many presented for the very first time. It’s a celebration of this nation’s musical roots right here on our Nashville stage!
This half-hour program showcases the finest traditional country music that America has to offer. Recorded live at the four-acre Circle T Arena in Hamilton, Texas, each episode of TruCountry features live performances by some of the nation’s most authentic country music artists, playing good-time songs to a jam-packed dance floor.
“America’s Gospel Music” presents the nation’s premiere Gospel Music artists live in concert from The Wonders Center in Dickson, Tennessee.
In the harsh Australian Outback, water drillers Danyelle and Anthony Haigh give up their nomadic life of searching for water for cattle ranches, to offer their two sons, Heath and Theo, a more settled life. They swap water drilling for something they’ve never done before – farming.