TDA Helps Celebrate Opening of Lauderdale County Ag Learning Center

NASHVILLE - Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture Terry J. Oliver recently joined with U.S. Rep. John Tanner and other federal, state and local officials in celebrating the opening of the new Lauderdale County Agricultural Learning Center at Halls High School.

The center, which includes a covered livestock arena and stalls, classroom, food preparation, bath and storage areas, will support FFA, 4-H and other youth and adult education programs. The center will also be used to demonstrate proper animal health and livestock marketing practices to area farmers.

The center was constructed with a $150,000 grant from the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program administered by the Department of Agriculture and supported by state Rep. Craig Fitzhugh, Chair of the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee. TAEP was established by Governor Phil Bredesen in 2005 and funded by the Tennessee General Assembly to support agricultural development in the state.

A $50,000 grant from USDA Rural Development will help equip the new regional center for distance-learning, agribusiness development and community development meetings.