Colquitt Co. School District breaks ground on new canning plant & agricultural facility
MOULTRIE, Ga. – The Colquitt county community came together Tuesday morning to break ground on a new agricultural facility for the Colquitt County High School. An endeavor that everyone voted in favor of, and looks to be a major investment in the community.
The new agriculture facility and canning plant is a nearly $10 million project by Colquitt county.
And… according to Colquitt County’s Agriculture Advisory Chairman, Scott Demott, it’s one of the most successful measures for a county ever passed in not just Colquitt county, but the state of Georgia.
“This kind of shows the favor that agriculture, the facilities and the importance that education has on our students. And so our county was able to put that on the E-SPLOST for a vote last year. And, it successfully won by huge numbers. It shows the importance our community puts on that…” said Scott Demott, Chairman, Colquitt Co. Ag Advisory Committee.
The new facility will be only a short walk away from Colquitt High School…
Perfect for many of the students who are part of the Future Farmers of America (FFA), as this facility will help students with livestock projects.
“Seeing all of this come to life, and happen, they’ll understand how much the community supports agriculture as a whole. And, they’ll be able to some of the stuff I’ve heard several people have told me they want to participate in, but don’t have the ability to do on their own, they’ll be able to participate in that stuff as well,” said Rylee Wiard, FFA President, Colquitt Co. High School.
And… for agriculture teachers at Colquitt Co. High, they’re going to be able to give students the best possible learning environment.
“As an educator, I see the opportunities that are about to be opened wide to all of our students to house livestock animals, learn about food science and preservation, and much more. And, that gets me really excited as an educator: to know what my students can obtain from this,” said Will Burt, Ag teacher, Colquitt Co. High School.
But… the general consensus is clear:
Everyone in Colquitt county is excited to see this facility completed in the next year.
“That just makes us feel great inside. To know that they truly support what it is we do each and every day with these students from an agricultural standpoint, but also a leadership standpoint we instill in these kids,” said Burt.
“Students in FFA and at Colquitt County High School, they don’t understand how much agriculture means to the community, and they don’t understand how big of a role it plays as much. So, seeing this all come to life, they’ll understand how much agriculture means to the community as a whole…” said Wiard.
The facility is currently on pace to have the ribbon cut by summer of 2025. And, the school system, and leadership of Colquitt county are excited for unlocking the potential of agriculture students.
Colquitt County High School already has another facility for agriculture programs geared more towards crops.
Brian Roche reporting.
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