Related: Enka High Raising the Bar(n)
By Tim Reaves
BCS Communications Department
Enka High School’s (EHS) Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter joined sponsors, teachers, and community members to celebrate the school’s new barn during a
ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday.
The new barn is designed specifically to house livestock species like cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and chickens, creating opportunities for EHS students to learn about the complexities and specific needs of the different animals. It will also provide opportunities for work-based learning experiences in several different fields – from organic farming to veterinary medicine, to agriculture sales. More than 20 community businesses, nonprofits, and family foundations contributed funds, know-how, labor, and materials to raise the new barn over a nine-month period.
“It shows that people care about our school and they care about our FFA program,” said EHS FFA First Vice President and rising senior Neely Hudgins. “They’re willing to help us with whatever we need. Now we have a barn to be able to take care of our animals and have more room to practice different things.”
“It’s so much easier to learn hands on,” added EHS FFA Second Secretary and rising sophomore Kelsey Worley. “A lot of kids need it, and this barn gives them that. So I think this is a super big accomplishment, and it’s really great how much the community loves us.”
During Wednesday’s celebration, barn boosters cheered as Ms. Carolyn Ferguson, of major donor The Ferguson Foundation, cut the ribbon. The barn bears her family name and is dedicated in part to her late husband, Jack Ray Ferguson.
“We’ve always loved and supported the school,” she said. “It’s what Jack would’ve wanted. I’d love to see it when the animals are here and the hay is here. It’s going to be an eye-opener for kids to learn what farming’s like.”
A huge “thank you” to the following businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations for making the EHS FFA barn possible: Buncombe County Schools Foundation, Buncombe County Schools Maintenance, Buncombe County Commissioners, Backcountry Renovations, Boone’s Concrete Works, Carolina Farm Credit of Asheville, Enka FFA Alumni, Hajoca, Jean and Boyd Burleson, Jennings Builder Supply, Lee and Dolly Franklin, MB Haynes, Mark’s Buildings and Top of the Line Buildings, Mark’s Grading, North Carolina GO (Get Outside) Grant, Southeastern Container, Tennoca Construction, The Ferguson Foundation, Tractor Supply, Vannoy Construction, Vaughn and Melton, Vulcan.