During its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, the Washington County Commission unanimously voted to provide $617,000 to the Town of Jonesborough for the proposed Agriculture Learning Center (ALC) at the new Jonesborough Elementary School.
In July 2022, following a request from the town, the county’s governing body voted to allocate $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the ALC. Monday’s vote included an additional $117,000 in ARPA funds to help the project move forward, following another request from the town.
“This is an important investment in the future of an industry that is vital to our community,” said Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy. “Agriculture generates more than $840 million in total annual economic output for Washington County and supports over 4,000 jobs — making the training of our future workforce an absolute necessity.”
The ALC will provide hands-on instruction in sustainable gardening, small-scale farming and healthy food preparation for elementary students, as well as for youth and adults through after-school and community programming.
Programming will include raised-bed gardening, greenhouse use, vertical and container growing, hydroponics and other modern techniques. Students and adults will also learn concepts related to good nutrition, healthier lifestyles and proper food preparation.
In addition, the center aims to strengthen “farm-linking,” helping match older farmers looking to transition their land with younger families interested in keeping property in agricultural use — a key component of sustaining the county’s farming landscape.
Beyond education, the ALC will serve as a centralized food hub, giving local growers a place to deliver produce for purchase by Washington County Schools. Currently, the school system purchases no locally grown food due to the lack of facilities needed for receiving, inspecting, cooling and coordinating distribution.
The ALC project includes:
- a dedicated classroom with digital teaching tools;
- a potting shed with wash stations and space for soil, containers and nutrients;
- a covered pavilion for outdoor instruction;
- a walk-in cooler and receiving area for produce;
- a small commercial teaching kitchen; and
- orchard space, an equipment shed and small-scale farm equipment.
Clark Nexsen Architects is designing the building.
In other business on Monday, the Washington County Commission:
- Accepted the resignation of Richard A. Thompson as the county’s highway superintendent. Before doing so, the panel praised Thompson for his many years of service to the community and wished him well in his retirement. Assistant Superintendent Doug Jones will manage the department until the commission selects a new leader for the department.
- Approved up to $28,000 in signage costs for the new branch of the Washington County Library in Gray. Located on Sid Martin Road in the former Citi building, the 13,000-square-foot facility will offer areas for teens and children, a maker space, study rooms and space for community gatherings.
- Approved a resolution revising the zoning office fee schedule. The building permit fee was increased by $125, while the manufactured home permit fee was increased by $100.
The next regular meeting of the Washington County Commission is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. in Courtroom 7 of the George P. Jaynes Justice Center, located at 108 W. Jackson Blvd. in Jonesborough.