ABAC officials visit new Harley Langdale Jr. Barn at Brooks Co. Schools

QUITMAN – Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College President Tracy Brundage joined other members of the college’s leadership team for a tour of the new Harley Langdale Jr. Agricultural Barn recently. A grand opening was held for the new facility. 
 
The tour was led by Brooks County Superintendent Dr. Vickie Reed along with CTAE Director Brian Law, Young Farmer teacher Christy Thomas, High School FFA Advisor and Agriculture teacher Josie Brightwell, and Middle School FFA Advisor and Agriculture teacher Rebecca Crowder.  
 
“We were excited to visit the Harley Langdale Jr. Agricultural Barn in Quitman,” President Brundage said. “Dr. Reed and her team should be extremely proud to see this project come to fruition. This impressive facility will serve as a tremendous resource for students and the Brooks County community alike.” 
 
The project began as an initiative to provide more hands-on experiences for Brooks County students at all levels. Seed funding came from the Georgia General Assembly in 2021 but when additional funding was needed to complete construction, the Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation stepped in. 
 
“It’s exciting to see the positive impact this facility is having on our students,” Dr. Reed said. “It means so much to our school system and our community that the Langdale Foundation recognized this need and got involved to make it happen. It will benefit this community for years to come.” 
 
The barn covers 12,150 square feet and is solely dedicated to advancing agricultural education and practices in the community. Dr. Audrey Luke-Morgan, Department Head of Agriculture, Dr. Andrew Thoron, Department Head for Agricultural Education and Communication, and Ryan Hogan, Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing, and Communications and a Brooks County native, joined President Brundage for a tour of the barn as well as Brooks County High’s canning plant and performing arts theater.  
 
“Growing up in Brooks County, I understand the importance of agriculture in our community,” Hogan said. “This facility represents a commitment to give students experiential learning while supporting the agriculture industry. ABAC is proud of our partnership with Brooks County.” 
 
The tour also served as a reunion of sorts as Brightwell and Crowder are ABAC graduates. ABAC’s Department of Agricultural Education and Communication produces more graduates than any college in the eastern United States, and Thoron said both young teachers are examples of the program’s success. 
 
“Clearly, Josie and Rebecca are doing what they love and thriving in Brooks County,” Thoron said. “We get great satisfaction as educators to see that in person. It’s a testament to their hard work and our program.” 
 
“Our Department of Agricultural Education and Communication is a tremendous point of pride for ABAC,” President Brundage added. “Dr. Thoron and Dr. Luke-Morgan have an impressive network of ABAC graduates around the country, which strengthens our brand and will ensure the program’s continued success.”