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SOUTHINGTON, CT — A new barn is being built this year for Southington High School’s agricultural science program and the hope is for visitors to see what the program has to offer as well as expand program offerings.
The Southington Board of Education, at its last meeting on June 27, welcomed SHS AgSci Program Director Owen McLaughlin, who gave a detailed presentation to the board about the plan as well as the regional program at SHS.
In addition to Southington, the Carl M. Small Regional Agriculture Science and Technology Center serves 196 total students from Berlin, Bristol, Cheshire, Farmington, New Britain, Plainville, Southington, Terryville, Waterbury, and Wolcott.
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The program, because it is a regional operation, receives extensive funding from the state and is often referred to as a vocational-agricultural curriculum, or vo-ag.
According to McLaughlin, expanding the facility to the 7-acre site near DMS, which is owned by the town and once was an old farm, would benefit students from several towns.
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“There is a proposed expansion for down the street near DePaolo Middle School,” he said, adding the current agricultural science building at SHS is too small. “If you’re looking at the AgSci building, we really only have about 800 square feet for livestock animals.”
He said, currently, the SHS AgSci building houses a Shetland pony, two goats, and a donkey.
“We tried having a full-size cow this year and there just wasn’t enough space for it,” McLaughlin said. “So we weren’t able to keep it, unfortunately.”
McLaughlin said the barn would be built off Pleasant Street near DePaolo Middle School and also feature an expansion of the town’s community gardens at that location.
The barn will house various livestock that are being tended to by the SHS program as well as new additions for the new space and it will be open to the public, according to McLaughlin.
“So if we were able to have additional space to really offer this, it could increase curriculum offerings and offer hands-on opportunities not only for the program but for the town,” McLaughlin said.
He said the site would be convenient for seniors and the community attending programs at the nearby Calendar House Senior Center.
Plans, McLaughlin said, include new signage with information on each of the animals being kept at the site, giving visitors insights into what the animals are and how they’re tended to.
The building would also feature bleacher seats inside so students could sit and watch instructors bring the animals out during classes.
It is hoped the project can begin this fall, McLaughlin said.
School board members said the new feature could be a beneficial site not just for the school system, but the community as a whole.
No vote was necessary as McLaughlin’s visit was for informational purposes.
Board members asked McLaughlin to come back to the board and give periodic updates on the project.
Southington Superintendent of School Steven Madancy said McLaughlin is “an absolute star” when it comes to running the agricultural science program, a job he’s had for two years.
“I approached Owen on numerous occasions this year and he always takes my ideas and vision and actually exceeds my expectations,” Madancy said. “So we’re really pleased with him in his new role.”
Southington Board of Education Chairperson Colleen Clark expressed support for the project.
“To a person, I think we’re all excited. We can see you’re excitement. Please come to us with whatever you need and how we can help. We’re excited to see this happen. Nice work,” Clark said.
For the minutes of the June 27 Southington Board of Education meeting, click on this link.
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