Construction is set to commence soon on a groundbreaking Agricultural Learning Center at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds in Webster City, marking a significant milestone for the agricultural education sector in North-Central Iowa. The initiative, spearheaded by Gene Gourley, a fifth-generation farmer from Webster City, has been a long-time vision that is finally coming to fruition.
Gourley, an enthusiastic advocate for agricultural education, expressed his excitement about the upcoming project, detailing the intricate plans for the center. “We have a company hired that’s going to come in and do the demolition of the floral building, and part of their plan is to construct a pad for the facility,” Gourley shared. Additionally, he mentioned that the construction group, Ag Force from Jewel, has been selected as the project contractor to oversee the entire construction process.
The community’s support for the center has been overwhelming, with donations pouring in to make the project a reality. Gourley revealed that the construction is scheduled to begin in the spring, pending favorable weather conditions. “Our goal is by July 1st, ahead of the Hamilton County Fair, that they will have that completed and hopefully, the facility will be utilized then during the fair, and then Kurt will have it for the school year to start this fall,” he added.
Kurt Veldhuizen, the FFA advisor at Webster City, expressed his anticipation for the center’s opening, emphasizing its potential to bridge the gap between students and the agricultural industry. “It’s going to be a state-of-the-art facility that I really see bringing those kids closer to what industry is, so that kids can see an actual representation of true industry and animal science, but yet, doing it bio-securely,” Veldhuizen remarked. He highlighted the importance of exposing students to real-world industry practices and fostering a deeper understanding of potential career paths.
The center is expected to host its first classes in late August, marking a significant milestone for agricultural education in the region. This facility will be only the second of its kind in the state of Iowa, with the first one located in Muscatine.
As the community eagerly anticipates the completion of the Agricultural Learning Center, its impact on shaping the future of agricultural education in North-Central Iowa cannot be understated. The center’s innovative approach to connecting students with industry practices is poised to revolutionize the way young learners engage with agriculture, paving the way for a new generation of skilled professionals in the field.
With construction set to begin in the coming weeks, the vision of a state-of-the-art educational facility is finally becoming a reality in Webster City. As the project progresses, the transformative potential of the center to inspire and educate future agricultural leaders is on the horizon, promising a brighter future for the industry and the community as a whole.
