Agriculture facility sought for county students
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The Sequatchie County High School FFA is seeking support for an agriculture facility, which would be constructed on school grounds. The proposed site is just west of the baseball field, off Cordell Lane.
FFA sponsor Tammie Akin explained the original plan was to construct just a modest, pole barn type structure near her classroom, but the revised plans are for a larger facility with classroom space to offer more usage.
“This space would allow me to fully transition instruction to the site and utilize the facility year-round in a safe, effective, and meaningful way,” Akin said. “As not only the agriculture educator, but also a tax paying community member, it is my desire to build a facility that can and will be used on a full time basis to make the investment fiscally responsible and sustainable. The last thing I want is to gain approval and build something that is not conducive to the learning environment and sits unused or minimally used.”
Akin said school board members have expressed support unanimously and are now working on the costs and payment. Formal approval would move the project forward into the bid process, and later, into groundbreaking.
The projected costs total approximately $1.7 million, Akin said. Expenses include reconditioning and adding a new driveway from Cordell Lane, approximately 9,000 square foot of asphalt for parking spaces at the rear of the building, concrete sidewalks from the existing baseball field, land excavation, sewer lines, electrical conduit, water lines, final grading and hydroseeding, and fencing.
The building itself would include approximately 3,400 square feet of finished space for a classroom, storage, and restrooms, plus 2,400 square feet of unfinished pole barn space with a 14’ wall height and vaulted ceilings. Other typical building costs include insulation, plumbing, and a fire suppression sprinkler system in the entire building.
A contractor’s estimate includes $600,000 for site work and $1.1 million for the building package, Akin added.
Akin continued, the agricultural program at the school has grown to serve approximately 163 students each year, over 25 percent of the total SCHS enrollment.
“The impact is extended beyond my classroom through partnerships with other classes, student organizations, and community initiatives,” she explains. “This program is not just another elective, it is a vital part of preparing students for real world careers and informed citizenship. Agricultural education teaches students far more than farming. It connects them to the systems that sustain our daily lives such as food production, animal care, natural resources, forestry, and agricultural technology. These are industries that are not only foundational to our community, but also critical to our state and national economy.”
Akin said former FFA students graduating from SCHS are entering agriculture-related careers or are currently enrolled in agriculture-related fields in college, with more planning those college and career paths.
“This is about giving our students the opportunities they deserve, opportunities to learn by doing, to explore meaningful careers, and to understand the industries that quite literally feed and sustain us all,” she said. “Agriculture is one of the largest and most important industries in Tennessee, contributing over $65 billion to the state’s economy and supporting more than 280,000 jobs. Additionally, workforce data shows that agricultural careers are continuing to grow, with consistent job openings and increasing demand for skilled workers. Tennessee also has a higher concentration of agricultural jobs than the national average, making it especially important that our students are prepared for these opportunities. These careers range from hands-on technical positions to high-paying scientific and management roles, offering pathways for all students.”
She added, “Another critical consideration is the current state of agriculture in Tennessee, particularly among small, family-owned farms. Many of these operations are struggling to remain viable as older generations retire and fewer young people are prepared or willing to continue the work. At the same time, Tennessee continues to lose valuable agricultural and forest land to development at an increasing rate, approximately 70,000 acres annually. Without intentional education and exposure, our students may not fully understand the importance of preserving these resources or feel equipped to pursue careers that sustain them. Agricultural education plays a vital role in ensuring that the next generation has both the knowledge and the passion to support, protect, and advance this essential industry.”
