BTN LiveBIG: At Big Ten universities, it's #ThanksGivingBack

[btn-post-package]On Thanksgiving Day, minds turn to thoughts of a big meal, a big game and maybe a big nap. But Thanksgiving can be more than an annual celebration of feasting, football and nodding off in a comfy recliner.

Across the Big Ten Conference, students, faculty and alumni are using food and farming as a means to effect social change. Focusing on issues ranging from hunger and malnutrition to urban blight and entrepreneurship, they?re creating innovative solutions that have big impact.

Below are just a few of the many stories highlighting how it?s not just Thanksgiving at the schools of the Big Ten. It?s #ThanksGivingBack.

Maryland?s Terp Farm fills bellies and minds with good stuff

Michigan State Product Center plants seed for food entrepreneurs

Penn State professor explores disease-fighting diets through ancient and modern medicine

Michigan graduates find fertile soil for urban farming in Detroit

Iowa research dietitian digs into nutrition for the ill

Minnesota continues legacy of fighting world hunger

Rutgers goes back to the future with its distinctive tomato

Wisconsin's first enologist to spice up the state's wine, cider industries

By John Tolley