New Ag Ed & Tech Building Opens in Colby Just in Time for School

Blog post taken from Kansas Farm and Ranch Radio Network Website.

Colby, KS – As the school year kicks off, students in Colby have a brand-new space to explore the future of agriculture. The long-anticipated Agriculture Education and Technology Building is officially open, marking a major step forward for hands-on learning and the future of ag education in northwest Kansas.

Back in May 2024, the school district proudly announced that $1.5 million had been raised to fund the project, which includes both the new ag building and a greenhouse. This milestone wouldn't have been possible without the dedication of the school board, committee members, and countless community supporters who saw the vision through to completion.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The community gathered recently for a ribbon cutting ceremony, where Senator Jerry Moran joined local leaders to celebrate the opening and reflect on what it means for the region.

“In so many ways, we often celebrate our past... But what this represents to me is that we’re taking care of there being a Colby, there being agriculture, there being farmers and ranchers, there being dairymen and women — now and in the future.”— Senator Jerry Moran

More Than Just a Building

For educators like Jeff Carney, one of the teachers who will be using the new facility, the project is about far more than bricks and mortar.

“It’s not just the building that we put up. It’s what we do inside the building — educating our youth to have a passion.”

The new space is designed to foster interest in agriculture at a younger age, something Senator Moran also emphasized in his remarks.

“We often educate people too late. We need to get them started earlier, showing there’s a future in agriculture... If any community in Kansas has a future, it’s when our farmers, ranchers, ag producers, and ag businesspeople are given the opportunity to succeed.”— Senator Jerry Moran

See the full video of the Ribbon Cutting here: