Des Moines, Iowa — The state budget lawmakers are developing includes five million dollars for the construction of an Agricultural Education Center on the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons says it will be a key component of what will be called the “My Iowa Ag Learning Campus.”
The plan calls for the center to be built near the Animal Learning Center where fairgoers can see live farm animals, watch the births of baby pigs and chicks, and learn about the different parts of a farmstead. The new building will focus on crop development, Iowa soils, farm equipment and jobs in agriculture.
Parsons says there are other concepts like this at other state fairs.
Parsons says the total construction cost for the new building is projected to be 15 million dollars. In January, Governor Reynolds recommended that the state provide five million dollars over the next two years for the project. Bills that have cleared initial review in the House and Senate would provide similar withdrawals from the state fund where gambling taxes are deposited.
