The proposed Morgan County Agricultural Learning Lab will be a multipurpose agricultural facility utilized by students in the Morgan County Charter School System. FFA members from the middle school and high school will house livestock animals and class projects, and elementary agriculture students and primary STEM students will also utilize the space for labs. The idea is that through this program, we can “grow a farmer without a farm”. In Phase One, the facility will be approximately 7,000 square feet, heated and cooled, with concrete floors and wash racks. It will have 20 (6’ x 10’) individual pens to house small livestock (hogs, goats, or sheep) with room for expansion down the center aisle. Additionally, there will be a multipurpose room, restrooms, and storage spaces. Solar panels will be installed to ensure a more renewable energy plan.

Phase Two will include an open air large livestock barn where dairy heifers and beef cattle will be housed. The large animal barn will mimic the size of the small animal barn and will have individual stalls with run outs for the cattle. The barn would include 12 stalls, a practice area, and storage for our livestock trailer and potential tractor.

Students will be responsible for the daily care of their show animal which leads to many benefits. Livestock programs provide students with valuable character skills such as responsibility, confidence, competition and how to deal with loss. Students are also able to build a network of connections by making new friends and developing social relationships from diverse cultural backgrounds. And finally students gain knowledge about the daily care of livestock animals.