Excitement is building in Appomattox County as the local Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni Association prepares to break ground on a new Agricultural Complex designed to expand agricultural education and support local youth.

Set for Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM, the groundbreaking ceremony welcomes all community members to celebrate the beginning of this ambitious project. The ceremony will be held at the FFA Alumni Land Laboratory, adjacent to Appomattox County High School.

The new facility, spanning over 12,500 square feet, will significantly enhance opportunities for the county’s 466 FFA members by providing dedicated spaces for hands-on agricultural learning and events. Planned features include livestock housing, cattle handling and processing equipment, washing and grooming rooms, restrooms, and multipurpose areas for community gatherings.

FFA Advisor Ed McCann expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming development. “My students and I are excited about the opportunities that a facility like this will create,” McCann said. “Our students need a place to further develop their agricultural knowledge and skills in a structured, age-appropriate, and community-oriented environment.”

FFA Alumni President Mary Beth Wingfield highlighted the broader community benefits of the Agricultural Complex. “This 12,500+ square-foot educational facility will provide space for industry-relevant agricultural instruction, housing for student-owned livestock projects, community events, and skill enhancement for our students,” Wingfield stated. “Our goal is to raise $1.5 million to fully fund this project, creating a facility that will positively impact the future of agriculture in the Central Virginia area for years to come.”

The Appomattox FFA Alumni Association, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, aims to raise $1.5 million through community support to fully fund the project. Those interested in supporting the Agricultural Complex can contribute to the “Build-A-Barn” fund. Donations may be sent directly to PO Box 328, Appomattox, VA 24522.

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, attendees can explore the Land Laboratory through guided tours offered by FFA members, agricultural educators, and Alumni Association members. Gates open at 9:30 AM, with access recommended via Evergreen Avenue adjacent to Appomattox County High School, following the gravel road by the tennis courts.

For more information or inquiries about donations, please contact FFA Alumni Advisor Ed McCann at 434-352-8396.

Join the Appomattox FFA Alumni Association in celebrating this significant step forward, investing in the future of agriculture and community in Central Virginia.