Franklin Co HS New Ag Barn Complex Nears Completion

A grand opening is planned next month for the new Supervised Agriculture Experience barn being constructed on the campus of Franklin County High School.

At their called meeting last week, the Franklin County School Board heard from Assistant Superintendent of Operations Carl Dekker on the construction progress of the new ag facility.

Dekker said they can see the light at the end of the construction tunnel.

“It has been in the works for a while but we are beginning to see the end of this coming pretty soon, and we’re going to have a great facility for our students,” Dekker told the Board.

The new ag barn actually consists of two barns, a small barn to house small farm animals and a large barn for larger livestock.

In his slide presentation to the Board, Dekker explained the progress in the construction of the facility so far.

“The steel for the large animal barn went up and they completed putting the roof on the small animal barn,” he explained. “They’re making progress on the inside. They’re working hard on that. In the main barn photo, you can see they’re working on the automated watering system there. And the front lobby area where the lockers will be going.”

Plans also call for an outside practice ring, and an entry room with lockers and bathrooms for students as well as a storage area.

Dekker said the entire facility is expected to be done by July 24 according to the contractor. After that, he said a special grand opening is planned.

More details on the grand opening will be released later.

Located on property across from the high school, the new SAE barn is being paid for with SPLOST funds and will give students interested in farming hands-on experience in raising and showing large and small livestock.