Braden River High opens new livestock facility

After nearly three months of construction, the largest agriculture program in the state can show off its newest baby, which isn't a calf or piglet.

Braden River High School is officially opening its new $101,720 pole barn Jan. 6. The East County school is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. today.

The barn, which the school board approved in September, will house 10 cattle and will serve a range of other functions, such as providing an outdoor learning space for students enrolled in the agriculture program.

Bleachers for class instruction will be located beside the barn for outdoor learning that marries classroom topics with real life application, Braden River agriculture teacher Deb Barry said.

The building also has a concrete pathway through the center, so Barry and other agriculture instructors Karly Cohenour and Megan Welch can drive a tractor or other equipment through the barn. 

Barry is excited the barn is up and running this school year, so her seniors can start utilizing the new facility during their last year in the program.