(Seguin) — Behind every show animal is a student taking in lessons of responsibility, commitment, and perseverance. And now, thanks to a new state-of-the-art Agriculture Science Building, even more Seguin ISD students will be given that same opportunity.
District leaders, students, teachers, community members, and project partners gathered Tuesday to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of Seguin ISD’s new Agriculture Science Building located at 1329 Ilka Road, just off Interstate 10 east of Seguin.
The $8.9 million facility was approved by voters as part of the district’s 2022 bond program.
Seguin ISD Superintendent Dr. Jack Lee says the facility represents a significant investment in student success.
“Our students will now have access to 25,000 square feet of space, including two enclosed, heated, and ventilated barns, a practice show arena, a 165,000-gallon water tank, an 8-foot privacy fence, and a security system. This is a top-of-the-line facility, and we are proud of it,” said Dr. Lee.
While the new building provides modern amenities, Lee says the true value of the project lies among the students and the community’s agriculture community.
“But as impressive as the building is, this project is not really about the building. It is about what will happen inside this space. It is about students learning responsibility. It is about students caring for animals before school, after school, on weekends, and when no one is watching. It is about hard work, commitment, problem-solving, pride, and growth. It is about giving students opportunities that can shape who they become,” said Dr. Lee.
FFA President Kiersyn Gully, says even she has been limited in participating in the raising of farm animals – something she has always wanted to do since being a freshman.
“I actually don’t show. So, but I plan to this year. The issue was I didn’t have anywhere to keep them. So now, I have the opportunity. So that’s also a great quality that comes with it — is people who couldn’t before now have the opportunity,” said Gully.
Now as a senior, Gully says she appreciates the effort that went into making the project a reality for current and future students.
“It’s really amazing what all these people came together to do to help provide for our next generation of students. It’s awesome. It’s going to help us learn responsibility as they said. It’s going to help us learn. We’re really appreciative of everything they’ve done for us. It’s an awesome thing,” said Gully.
Agriculture teacher Nancy Harris says the facility will be especially beneficial for students who may not have access to agricultural facilities at home.
“I’m really excited. I’m talking about having an opportunity for these kids to show projects. I think it is really, really amazing because some of these kids, they don’t have these kinds of facilities at home. And then these projects grow them so much in so many different ways, so many different skills. It just prepares them. And I think that it’s really, really, really an exciting opportunity for these kids,” said Harris.
Harris says the district’s agriculture program hopes to introduce even more students to opportunities they may never have considered before.
“The goal every single year is to, the kids who don’t even know about it, to introduce it to them and get them excited and then show them what’s out there and what’s available,” said Harris.
The facility was designed by pb Group LLC. Florin Popa, of pb Group, shared that the collaboration among district leaders, educators, and design professionals helped create a facility tailored to student needs.
“The result is two thoughtfully designed barns — one for poultry and one for livestock — created to support learning, leadership, and real-world experience. Throughout the design process, we worked closely with district leadership and educators to ensure this facility reflected both the needs and aspirations of the students and community it serves,” said Popa.
During the ceremony, Dr. Lee also recognized the many partners who helped bring the project to life, including The Koehler Company, SPB Engineering, Dunaway Associates, DBR Inc., and 2 Post Technology.
Lee says this week’s ribbon cutting is yet another example of doing what is best for students.
“So today, we celebrate more than a ribbon cutting. We celebrate a promise kept. We celebrate community support. We celebrate student opportunity. And we celebrate the future of Agricultural Science in Seguin ISD,” said Dr. Lee.
District officials say the facility which broke ground last April will be ready for its inaugural animal projects this fall.
