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Center for Agricultural Study and Excellence 


Farm Project Summary: Much progress has been made regarding the Irwin County Center of Agricultural Study and Excellence (CASE) Farm Project. With agriculture consisting of 80% of Irwin County's tax base, a group of concerned leaders realized that it was imperative to make every effort possible to: 1) sustain current farmers, 2) attract young people to the ag industry, and 3) promote economic growth by creating jobs and revenue for our region. 

To address this issue a regional advisory committee was formed consisting of farmers, county agents, specialists, elected officials including both area School Boards and County Commission Boards, as well as school administrators, local businesses, researchers, agricultural company representatives, and Chamber of Commerce representatives as well as concerned citizens and community leaders. 

To date we have received two grants and donations from private companies exceeding $250,000 in new money. Construction is complete on the 2,400 square foot state-of-the-art conference center. Twenty-five acres have been committed to this project for 2002 and negotiations are underway to purchase 90 acres adjacent to the Irwin County High School. This land will be used for demonstrations, research plots, ag-tours, and other educational activities. 

When fully implemented, this is a $2.1 million project that creates 14 internships for high school youth and up to 25 new full time jobs such as the Education and Agri-Tourism Director, Farm Director, Food Processing Plant Director, etc. The project includes plans for a farmers market, food processing plant, demonstration farm, and agri-tourism center which would attract young and old  alike. Likewise, eleven school systems surrounding Irwin County have expressed interest in allowing their students to participate in a field day to this "laboratory of life." 

The focus of this project will be on new and emerging crops, technologies, products, and practices. Pearl millet, kenaf, canola, fresh water shrimp 
production, agri-tourism, alternative crops, value added processing and farmer cooperatives, site-specific farming, conservation tillage practices, and
technological advances in irrigation timing and conservation are but a few examples of the topics and focus of this project. One of the key components of this project is the food processing plant that would provide a market for vegetables produced in this area to be processed, packaged, and marketed to area school systems and the public at large. 

Another integral part of this project is the demonstration farm that would provide scientists from both the public and private sectors the opportunity to direct our high school age interns in hopes of learning how to produce new or alternative crops or implement the emerging production practices. The final component of this project includes the tourism component. Again, we believe that learning can take place in the great out-doors. The eleven school systems that have expressed interest in bringing their students believed that $5.00 would be a very reasonable price to charge for this interactive experience and have endorsed this project and committed their respective schools to be among the first participants. 

Subjects that will be included in this project are production agriculture, agribusiness management, mechanization and technology, agri-science and 
biotechnology, environmental horticulture, and conservation and natural and renewable resources as well as math, science, communication computer
technology and related program applications, and others. 

This effort has the support of the Ben Hill -Irwin County Joint Development Authority, Ocilla-Irwin County Development Authority, Irwin County Board of Education, the Irwin County Commissioners, the Irwin County Chamber of Commerce, our local and state elected officials, farmers, agri-businesses, and citizens concerned about the profitability and viability of agriculture in our region.