DeSoto County opens Agri-Education Center

They say agriculture is central to America in many ways.  It is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, a major source of food production, and a significant part of American identity and culture, according to multiple sources. The agricultural sector contributes significantly to the U.S. GDP, supports millions of jobs, and is a major exporter of food and agricultural products.

Agriculture is also a central part of life in DeSoto County, so it was appropriate that the new DeSoto County Agri-Education Center at 1170 Starlanding Road West, Nesbit, be located in the central part of the county. 

It was noted that Ray Denison, District 3 Supervisor in the Walls area lives as far away from the new center as Jessie Medlin, the District 1 Supervisor in Olive Branch.  It was also noted that Southaven is on the north side of the roadway and Hernando was located on the south side.  

The Agri-Education Center, a $19 million project funded by grants and community contributions, was officially opened Thursday morning to a full house inside the building. It’s a facility that features a 2,000-seat indoor arena, an outdoor arena, stall buildings, RV parking, classrooms, and a 200-acre land. The project also features walking trails, an orchard, a pecan grove, and a greenhouse. Future plans include a greenhouse, pavilion, outdoor kitchen, and gardens to teach how to plant and take care of garden items.  

“One thing COVID taught us is that we needed to be more self-sufficent,” said Supervisor Lee Caldwell, who many credit as being the driving force behind the Agri-Education Center.  “This is what we want to bring back to the citizens of DeSoto County.  

But Caldwell said the center will be a facility for the entire county, ranging from walking trails, a paved trail extended to a 3.2 mile loop, or five-kilometers. A stocked fishing pond, and a 600-person storm shelter and tennis/pickleball courts are also being planned.

Denison even mentioned the possibility of a county fair.  

“We eventually want to have our own fair,” Denison said. “We’d like to call it the DeSoto County Fair. We haven’t decided on that, but it’s something that we’re pretty passionate about. We want to get there.”  

The Agri-Center will become the center of everything involving agriculture in DeSoto County, from 4-H to Mississippi State University Extension, Soil and Water Conservation District and Agri-Center staff. Former supervisor Michael Lee has been named to oversee the Agri-Center’s operation.  

On hand for the ribbon cutting event Thursday were Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, who recently announced his candidacy for governor, and his predecessor as Ag Commissioner, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.  

Gipson stressed the importance of farming and food to the state and nation.  

“The reality is food security is national security,” Gipson said. “If we don’t support our farmers, we can’t provide for anyone else to provide our most basic needs.” 

Hyde-Smith said she’s been to several similar facilities and put the DeSoto County center in the top three, adding she’d like to see this concept duplicated “81 more times,” she said.  

It was pointed out that officials from other counties, such as Itawamba and Chickasaw, were on hand Thursday to see the DeSoto County center in person, with interest of doing something similar in their locations.