• Agriculture Sciences Building

     

    November 18, 2024 Update

    – Schematic design development continues. 

    – The District has completed all site visits. 

    – The District met with VLK to discuss items to meet the needs of the 
    program. 

     

    October 28, 2024 Update

    The Naming Committee has announced the official name of the building will be the Dick and Heidi Elkins Agricultural Science Complex.

    – Schematic design development continues.

    – The district continues to work with the architect and is finishing up site visits.

     

    March 5, 2024 Update

    Agricultural Science Building – Design underway. Construction will begin Spring 2025.

    – The Agricultural Sciences facility is part of the district’s dedicated programming for Career and Technology Education.

    – The CTE instructional track is called Agriculture Food & Natural Resources, which includes Advanced Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine 1 and 2, and a practicum program. Students in this track can earn certification as a Certified Veterinarian Assistant and, new in 2023-2024, a certification in Veterinary Medical Applications.

    – The Agricultural Sciences facility serves as the hub for all student animal projects. Students learn how to raise and care for their animals and prepare for stock shows, where they participate with their animals several times per year. The facility also is an instructional space for the Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine programs, and all FFA (Future Farmers of America) activities including meetings, training and events.

    – Student interest in the district’s agricultural science programs is growing; current total enrollment in EMS ISD ag programs is 1135 students, compared to 1058 in 2022-2023.

    – FFA membership last year was 83 students and all had animal projects. (FFA enrollment for current year won’t be complete until mid-late September)

    – Current ag facility was built in the 1970s and has had minimal upgrades:

    – Has 70 animal pens able to accommodate sheep, goats and hogs. In 2022-2023, 68 student-owned animals were housed on site and for 2023-2024, program leaders anticipate housing close to 60 student-owned animals at the current facility.

    – Other animals such as steers, heifers, rabbits or chickens are used in the program but are not able to be housed in the district facility.

    – Animals are doubled-up in the pens due to lack of adequate space to appropriately care for the animals.

    – The current building is located on land at the Wendy Ryon complex that is leased from the Trinity River Water District and not convenient to any other district facilities. The district has added safety features including lighting, fencing, locks, etc., but the remote location continues to be a safety concern.

    – A new facility would be relocated to a new site on district-owned land that is a more secure and accessible location for students, staff and families.