The Crisp County Board of Education is currently establishing a priority list for the renewal of an Educational Special Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST). There are primarily two projects, one for sports facilities and one for agriculture training facilities, that are basically in a dead tie for priority.
When it comes down to it, there cannot be a tie. One will be prioritized and money will be spent first on one, then on the other. One will move forward while the other waits.
My vote is for Agriculture to get the priority. This is not to put down sports in any way but it is long past time, to recognize the importance of agriculture. As the old saying goes, here in the Watermelon Capital of the World, we need to put our money where our mouth is.
Let me give just a few reasons that an Agricultural center should take priority. I believe that we can reason together and come to the same conclusion.
First, it is a matter of acknowledging the size of the agricultural impact in Crisp County. Nearly one fifth of the land on which our property tax digest is based on is agricultural land. Not only that, the extracurricular agriculture programs are the largest, with Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) serving more than 800 students annually.
Secondly, while it is the largest program, it has been overlooked in terms of significant capital investment. The current facility—the JW Mann Show Barn—was built around 1958. It is outdated, undersized, and unable to host regional events.
The show barn’s limitations are not cosmetic; they are structural. Crisp County cannot expand agricultural opportunities without a modern, safe, accessible facility.
Let’s be honest. In the past seven decades we have built new schools, upgraded athletic facilities, added classrooms, and completed project after project. Agriculture has waited through all of it. Let’s stop putting this off and make it the priority we should.
A third reason, is basic and simple fairness. As it stands right now, students who want to participate to the fullest extent in our agricultural programs must have access to agricultural land. What does that say to those who live in subdivisions, neighborhoods, or apartments? While it may be unintentional, it severely narrows the valuable opportunities for our students.
The research proves that students who participate in agricultural projects show measurable growth in responsibility, confidence, communication, ethical decision‑making, and time management. These are not “FFA fun” activities. They develop workforce‑ready skills that employers are begging for.
A fourth reason is economic impact. A modern Crisp County Agricultural Center would open the door for new economic impact as a regional host for livestock and other agricultural shows. Conservative estimates are that each event could bring in an additional $39,000 – $49,000 in direct local spending. If Crisp County hosted just four shows per year, it would generate up to nearly $200,000 locally and that is a conservative figure.
Finally, this project is perfectly aligned with the purpose of SPLOST. It is a capital improvement that meets the needs of our largest extracurricular programs, removes barriers for educational opportunity, enhances educational infrastructure, supports workforce development, and generates economic impact for our community.
I close with a compromise offer which, if done properly, would make the Crisp County Agriculture Center the priority project while also identifying smaller projects, such as restroom upgrades, lighting improvements, resurfacing, safety repairs, equipment replacement, and small scale facility enhancement in other areas which could be completed while we maintain our focus on the Crisp County Agricultural Center.
This can be a win-win for everyone, especially the students we serve. Make the Crisp County Agriculture Center our main priority project while also taking smaller, strategic, bites at our other needs.
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