On May 9, 2025, ground was officially broken for the SEED ACADEMY — Lake Cumberland Regional AgriTech Center in Russell County, marking a significant milestone in the region’s educational and agricultural development.

Although construction began during the winter months, a large crowd gathered to celebrate the inauguration of this visionary project — a unique partnership between the Russell County Industrial Development Authority (RCIDA) and the Russell County Schools to establish an AgriTech Center dedicated to the art, science, and business of agriculture.

“What a truly exciting and momentous day this is for Russell County and for our students, for our educators, and the future for agriculture in our region,” said Representative Josh Branscum, Kentucky House of Representatives 83rd District. “We’re not just turning soil, we are planting the very seeds of opportunity, innovation, and community progress.”

Josh Branscum

RCIDA Chairman Clint Voils, who is also a local farmer, thanked Representative Branscum, former state senator Max Wise, and numerous partners at the federal, state, and local levels — including the governor’s office — for their support in securing funding for the center.

“Agriculture is one of the leading employers and one of the fastest-growing job sectors over the past two decades,” Voils noted. “Thanks to new technologies, agriscience, and innovation, this industry is evolving in powerful ways.”

Representative Branscum gave the keynote speech to the crowd that included school officials, local government representatives, RCIDA board members, as well as agriculture students from Russell County High School.

“The SEED ACADEMY — that name alone tells a powerful story,” Branscum said. “This will not be just another school. It will be a hub for forward-thinking, hands-on education that connects students directly to the land, to cutting-edge agricultural practices, and to meaningful careers in the 21st-century economy.”

Branscum emphasized that SEED ACADEMY will benefit students regardless of whether they pursue higher education, enter the workforce, or launch their own agribusiness ventures.

“This is not just about farming. It’s about STEM education, entrepreneurship, and innovation. We’re bringing together science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — and showing students how to apply these disciplines to solve real-world problems in their own backyard,” he said.

Branscum also highlighted the center’s commitment to modern and sustainable agriculture, giving students hands-on exposure to emerging practices, from veterinary science to crop diversification and productivity-enhancing techniques.

“The SEED ACADEMY will be a living laboratory,” he said. “With opportunities to explore hydroponics, aquaponics, and regenerative farming techniques, this campus will showcase the very best of what agriculture can be.”

He added, “For generations, agriculture has been the backbone of Russell County and of our great Commonwealth. It’s more than an industry — it’s a way of life. But the agricultural landscape is changing. Today’s farmers are scientists, business leaders, technologists, and environmental stewards. The SEED ACADEMY is our answer to that reality — a place to prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders.”

Branscum closed his remarks by thanking the community and funding partners for making the project possible. “As we put shovels into the soil this afternoon, let’s remember — we’re not just building a school. We’re building a legacy of education, innovation, sustainability, and community strength. Years from now, people will look back at this day as the beginning of something transformative.”

Russell County Schools Superintendent Michael Ford echoed that sentiment, calling it an “absolute honor” to participate in this “turning point for education and agriculture.”

Ford noted the regional vision for the facility and highlighted the attendance of higher education partners, saying that plans are underway to create student pathways to advanced degrees.

Michael Ford

“The SEED ACADEMY will ensure our students are not just prepared for the future — they’re going to help shape it,” Ford said. “This is a proud day for Russell County Schools, our students, and families. But it’s more than that. It’s bigger than a construction project. It will benefit our entire region and Commonwealth.”

He also praised the school’s agriculture faculty and leadership, calling the program “robust and respected.”

The SEED ACADEMY will feature 19,147 square feet of space, including labs, classrooms, an auditorium, and a livestock area. It is being constructed by Branscum Construction on 11 acres of land donated by the RCIDA, located at the edge of the Lake Cumberland Regional Industrial Complex Site 1 — just one mile from Russell County High School.

Funding sources for the project include a $376,000 Rural Development Grant, a $1,478,973 USDA-RCAP Grant, and a $3,000,000 contribution from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Both the RCIDA Board and the Russell County Board of Education have also made financial contributions.

The ground-breaking ceremony opened with the pledge of allegiance led by the Russell County High School JROTC color guard and ended with a traditional ground breaking by leadership and honored guests including student members of the Future Farmers of America who also planted soybean seeds in pots branded with the SEED ACADEMY logo.

Learn more about the SEED ACADEMY: https://rcidaky.com/seed-academy-agritech-training-center

Clint Voils