By Kaitlyn Parker, Golden LEAF External Affairs Intern
For years, Ashe County farmers lacked a centralized facility where they could market livestock, host agricultural events, and provide hands-on learning opportunities for young people interested in agriculture. Today, the Ashe County Agricultural Center is helping fill that gap while strengthening the local agricultural industry and creating new economic opportunities for businesses, commodity groups, nonprofit organizations, and future farmers.
The Ashe County Agriculture Foundation committee handles the day-to-day operations of the facility. Judy Bare, member of the Ashe County Agriculture Foundation committee, says the committee meets at least once a month to go over planned events and other aspects of the center.
“The center really has three parts to it,” said Bare. “We have the livestock handling facility where farmers can work and weigh cattle, the education room where groups can meet and hold programs, and the arena area that gets used for everything from livestock events to youth activities and demonstrations.”
The center addresses several longstanding needs in Ashe County’s agricultural community. For local cattle farmers, the shared-use equipment is especially important. Many farmers have aging handling infrastructure, and by providing access to equipment at the center, the facility saves farmers from purchasing costly infrastructure themselves. Facility oversight also creates a safer environment for both the animals and the farmers handling them.
“Our farmers really needed a working facility where they could bring cattle to be worked, weighed, and prepared for shipment,” said Bare. “Having a local facility allows buyers to come in, assemble truckload lots, and market cattle more efficiently. That helps farmers receive better prices while keeping more agricultural dollars in Ashe County.”
“We’ve had multiple farmers use the facility to work cattle and weigh cattle,” said Bare. “We’re still making improvements and trying to get everything organized in the way we feel works best, but it’s already being used and helping local producers.”
Bringing the project to life required support from multiple funding partners. Bare shared that Kelly Coffey, Senior Planner at High Country Council of Governments, was instrumental in pulling together the funding resources needed to get the project off the ground.
The project was made possible through a combination of local, state, federal, and private support. In December 2022, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $500,000 to Ashe County for the construction of the agricultural center. Golden LEAF funding leveraged $2.5 million from state funding, $100,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission, $500,000 from the Tobacco Trust Fund, $700,000 from Ashe County, and additional support from the Farm Bureau.
Since opening, the center has quickly become a resource for livestock support and sales, education, and community gatherings. Bare estimates the facility is used more than five times a month for different meetings and events.
“We’ve been surprised by all the different ways the facility is being used,” said Bare. “We’ve hosted FFA events, veterinary programs, beekeeper meetings, Farm Bureau meetings, Cattlemen’s meetings, and a lot more. As more people learn about it, we keep seeing new possibilities for how it can serve the community.”
While the center was designed to meet critical needs for farmers and agricultural organizations, its impact extends beyond the farm gate by creating new opportunities for local agribusinesses.
“Agribusinesses now have the opportunities to sponsor events, advertise products and connect directly with producers,” Coffey said. “The facility also provides exhibit space during agricultural expos where businesses can showcase products and services. The center maintains profitability for farmers, which is essential to preserving the future of agriculture in Ashe County.”
“The facility helps keep agriculture visible and active in Ashe County,” said Bare. “It gives businesses a chance to connect with farmers and support agricultural events, but most importantly it helps farmers keep more of their dollars here at home. Agriculture is a big part of our local economy, and this center helps support that.”
The facility’s arena also brings visitors into Ashe County through events that support the broader local economy.
“We’ve had rodeos, horse pulls, and other events that bring people in from outside the county,” said Bare. “Those visitors eat in our restaurants, buy gas, and shop while they’re here, so those events help support the local economy too.”
As the center continues to host livestock events, educational programs, agricultural meetings, and community activities, Bare said the demand shows how much the facility was needed.
“Without the Golden LEAF funding, the facility would not be what it is today,” said Bare. “The funds allowed us to build a much higher-quality facility than would have otherwise been possible. It was a critical component of making this project a reality.”