Agri-Education Center to open June 19

DeSoto County officials have set the date for the ribbon cutting and opening of the new Agri-Education Center at 1170 Starlanding Road in Nesbit. 

Local and state officials, including U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Mississippi Agriculture and Commerce Commissioner Andy Gipson, will be on hand for the event at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 19.

The public is welcome to the event, which is expected to offer a first look at the 200-acre facility that blends agriculture, education, recreation, and community spirit. 

Former county supervisor Michael Lee is the director of the Agri-Education Center.  

“This is a quality-of-life investment,” said Lee about the facility. “Our job is to keep this facility running at a high level and make sure it serves the community year-round — from educational workshops to major public events.”

The $19 million project was completed without issuing bonds or raising taxes. It stands on land once promised as a park when a temporary landfill closed more than 25 years ago.

The Agri-Education Center is designed to provide a space to gather, learn, and grow.

Features of the center include the following:

• 2,000-seat indoor arena for rodeos, livestock shows, tractor pulls, and community events
• Outdoor covered arena and stall barn for year-round agricultural showcases
• RV & horse trailer parking for easy access to family-friendly events
• 3.2-mile paved walking trail with scenic views and native trees, perfect for family outings
• Classrooms and teaching labs for 4-H, Extension Office, Soil & Water, and community programs
• Modern offices for the Extension Service, Soil & Water Conservation District, and Agri-Ed staff, along with
• Future plans for a 600-person storm shelter and tennis/pickleball courts

“This is more than a building — this is a vision that comes to life,” said Board President Mark Gardner. “From day one, we set out to protect our agricultural roots while creating a place that brings people together. That’s exactly what this center will do.”

Visitors at the ribbon cutting will be able to explore parts of the arena, walk the trails, and get a hands-on glimpse at what the Agri-Education Center will offer.

The building also becomes a center for DeSoto County’s agricultural services, as the Extension Office, Soil & Water Conservation, and 4-H programs are moving to the facility.

Visit the DeSoto County Government website for more information.