This award is supporting the construction of a multi-purpose agricultural center in
Ashe County that will provide a space for area cattle farmers to aggregate and market their livestock locally in a manner that would attract larger buyers, reduce costs, and bring higher prices. The agricultural center is being built to include various pens and passageways for sorting, holding, and congregating cattle; scales; and a load-out ramp. Shared-use, herd-health handling equipment will also be installed at the facility. Local farmers will be able to reduce or eliminate weight loss from long-distance hauling and receive premium prices by being to aggregate and sell livestock by weight and grade. The facility will also support local Christmas tree growers, the local high school animal science program, which has no dedicated facility for hands-on experience, and can host special livestock sales, demonstrations, and 4-H livestock judging in its demonstration ring with seating. The agricultural center will have a furnished meeting room and a kitchen. The Golden LEAF grant is leveraging a General Assembly appropriation of $2,500,000 and a $500,000 award from the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.
