Public Facility Will Benefit Extension Programs, Local Community
HENDERSON, Tenn. — University of Tennessee Extension Chester County recently received a $150,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for the construction of a new Chester County Agriculture Center.
This state-of-the-art facility will feature indoor meeting spaces as well as a covered arena for hosting educational events, livestock shows, 4-H and Youth Development programs and more. The center will also be available to the public for use by local schools, organizations and members of the community.
“The Chester County Agriculture Center is just the type of local facility that’s needed to advance youth agriculture education and to demonstrate the impact of ag and forestry on the community,” Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. says.
UT Extension Dean Ashley Stokes adds, “We are thrilled for this opportunity to better serve our community members and to enhance and expand UT Extension’s outreach in Chester County. The support and continued partnership from TDA is greatly appreciated.”
The grant was requested by Steve Rickman, UT Extension Chester County director, who says the funding is a significant contribution towards making the center a reality. “The Chester County Agriculture Center has been a goal of ours for some time, and we know it will have a significant impact on our community. It will not only be used for local 4-H and other Extension programs, but will also provide indoor and outdoor event spaces for people across the region. This will be a one-of-a-kind facility unlike anything we have had in our county.”
UT Extension Chester County is currently negotiating additional grants to complete funding for the project. Thanks to ongoing assistance from community partners, stakeholders and donors, the Chester County Agriculture Center is scheduled to begin construction by the end of 2023.
Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu.