From: Rebecca W. Thomas
ACBOE, Communications Coordinator
Autauga County Schools officially broke ground on a new Applied Science Livestock Teaching Lab to be constructed on the Billingsley School campus, a first-of-its-kind facility in the state of Alabama that will redefine how students engage with agriscience education. State and community leaders were present to celebrate the nearly $2 million investment in career and technical education, alongside Autauga County Board of Education members and district leadership.
“Today marks more than just the start of another construction project,” said Superintendent Woodfin as he addressed the ceremony’s guests with a message of progress, equity, and opportunity. “It marks the next chapter in our commitment to educational excellence and career readiness. This new lab is an investment in the future of education for students interested in agriscience — fostering innovation, sustainability, and hands-on learning in the animal science field.”
Billingsley’s Applied Science Livestock Teaching Lab is expected to open at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Once complete, it will serve not only as a learning environment but also as a bridge between education and industry, preparing students for high-skill, high-demand careers in agriculture. The facility will include barn space for housing livestock designed to provide students with a real-world, immersive experience in animal care and agricultural management. Through the district’s workforce pathways, students will be prepared for a diverse array of careers that represent a vast range of interests and expert craftsmanship, everything from animal science to education, communications, and sales.
This innovative space will transform how our students learn, grow, and prepare for careers in agriculture, animal science, and business. “Projects like this one change the trajectory of our district,” said Woodfin. “We are meeting students where they are and building pathways that connect education to the industries they’re passionate about.”
The transformative addition to Billingsley’s campus will provide a hands-on learning environment where students can raise and manage livestock projects on campus. Students will be actively involved in daily animal care routines, including feeding, grooming, health checks, and record-keeping, as part of this experiential learning program. This new lab also provides a safe and practical space for training animals for shows and preparing them for sale barns; thereby teaching essential life skills such as responsibility, time management, and decision-making through project ownership. With proper housing, feed storage, and working areas, students will gain real-world experience in animal care, including vaccination, nutrition, reproduction, and identification practices, now available to students regardless of whether they have access to land or barns at home. “We are proud to be eliminating all barriers for students to be involved and by doing so, strengthening our community’s involvement in production agriculture,” said Jason Griffin, Billingsley Principal.
The Applied Science Livestock Teaching Lab will also serve as a hub for community involvement, offering opportunities for local producers, alumni, and industry professionals to serve as mentors and participate in livestock workshops, showmanship clinics, and agricultural education events. Area farmers without their own facilities will also be able to partner with the school to house livestock, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between students and the agricultural community. “I think one of the most exciting features about this facility is how it will connect our school with the broader community,” commented Griffin. “It will allow community members to see firsthand the investment being made in students’ agricultural education. Everyone will be invited to serve as mentors by sharing their expertise and participating in livestock workshops, showmanship clinics, and agricultural education days.”
Griffin also recognized agriscience teacher & FFA advisor Logan Strock for his vital role in helping shape this vision. “Buildings are just concrete and steel. What will make this place shine is the passion and dedication of educators like Mr. Strock, who pour into our students every single day,” he said.
The event concluded with remarks from Pam Hughes, Executive Director of Mid-South RC&D, who, along with Representative Van Smith and Senator Clyde Chambliss, celebrated this momentous event and the previously awarded grant funding that purchased a livestock trailer, which was on display, to assist in hauling animals to and from the soon-to-be facility. Attendees also celebrated the leadership of FFA students with remarks from Adriana Raspberry, Billingsley FFA Chapter President and the Alabama FFA Central District President, whose efforts exemplify the impact and promise of agriscience education in Autauga County.
“This lab is more than a building,” said Superintendent Woodfin. “It’s an investment in our students’ futures, our local economy, and the long-term vitality of our community.”
