AGRICULTURE SCIENCES students celebrated the opening of the new Agriculture Education Barn and Greenhouse located on the campus of Woodford County High School. The students with their teachers, left to right: Emerson Probus, Carolina Rhea, Molly Lochman, teacher Conner Richardson, Emma Roberts, Cooper Probst, Kennedy Rudd, Robin Rhea, teacher Tracy Probst, Bella Ruzzene, teacher Alexis Jones, teacher Ana Saunders, Annabel Lewis, Logan Rudd, Sadie Hall, Collins Connell and Caden Fortney. (Photo by Scott White)

The Woodford County High School agriculture department cut the ribbon on its new Agriculture Education Barn and Greenhouse on April 24, before a crowd of parents, students, educators and public officials.

Given the significant role, both historical and today, that agriculture plays in Woodford County, the barn and greenhouse were a part of the plans for the new high school campus. The work has been completed and the facility is now open for students to study agricultural economics, livestock management, plant and animal genetics and learn many of the skills necessary to operate a successful farm in the 21st century.

“Our local Ag program is second to none, and these state-of-the-art facilities provide our students with the hands-on experience they need to lead the next generation of Kentucky agriculture,” said Woodford County Judge-Executive James Kay during the ribbon-cutting.

The new buildings were primarily funded by the Woodford County Board of Education, supplemented with grants from the Woodford County Agricultural Development Board, the Kentucky Future Farmers of America Foundation. Tracy Probst, an Ag Sciences teacher at the high school, wrote the grants to secure the additional capital for the project.

According to Ag Sciences teacher Conner Richardson, the barn, amongst other uses, will house the sheep used in the program that pairs Ag Sciences students with special needs students to raise and then show the sheep at the Woodford County Fair. Students will also have access to small animal labs, where they can learn skills like dog grooming.

The greenhouse is large and well-laid out. In the fall, students learn to grow plants from seed in flats, which are then sold in the spring to the public. Probst said the funds raised are plowed back into agricultural programs. “This gives us lots of opportunities for hands-on learning options and addressing different individual learning styles,” she said. “This will really help us to attract and reach more kids.”

And, speaking of students, Emma Roberts, a senior who is also the treasurer of the high school FFA, said, “The barn and greenhouse help us tremendously, it really lets us, as students, get hands-on. A part of the proceeds (from the flower sales) goes right back into the students, like for travel to FFA events and conventions.”

Robin Rhea, a junior who will be the FFA president next year and who intends to be a veterinarian, said, “These buildings give us a great way to get involved in this career pathway. Now, we have more opportunities and that's phenomenal.”

Anyone can shop for their spring annuals at the WCHS Agriculture Barn and Greenhouse. Hours are Wednesday through Friday, 2:15 to 5 p.m. Park in the rear of the school, the area facing Troy Pike, and walk up to the greenhouse. School check-in in this area during these times is not required.