Long-term community vision leads to new horse arena and future ag education center
By Addison White
Fri, October 23, 2026
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(Courtesy of WGXA's Perry Smith)
Monroe County leaders, community partners, and agricultural advocates gathered on Friday morning to celebrate a milestone for local youth and farming with the dual ribbon-cutting of a new horse arena and the groundbreaking of a future agricultural education facility.
The ceremony, held at 100 Dan Pitts Drive, drew local and state elected officials alongside representatives from Georgia Power and Oglethorpe Power to mark these significant community investments. The upcoming multi-use agricultural center will expand hands-on learning opportunities for area students and residents, featuring a dedicated outdoor greenhouse educational space.
According to local leaders, the facilities represent a bridge between Monroe County’s economic development and its deep agricultural roots.
"Monroe County is still, even with the 27 miles of interstate, we're still somewhat of a rural community," said Monroe County District 2 Commissioner Eddie Rowland. "We've got a lot of new businesses coming, but we still want to maintain and preserve our rural roots."
Rowland noted that the project fulfills a long-term community vision. "This was just a dream of a former commissioner that's passed away," he said. "About 15 years ago he started this idea and about 10 years ago I took it up. Now we're actually making it come to fruition."
According to organizers, the facility will serve a broad range of agricultural education, youth programming, and recreation.
Luke Quick, the University of Georgia (UGA) agriculture and natural resource agent for Monroe County, expressed enthusiasm for the expansion. "For me, this is a fantastic educational opportunity," he said. "I'm kind of a teacher at heart. So seeing this next generation age into what they can grow, I just can't wait to be a part of helping that grow, to teach some of those skills."
Quick added that the arena is already seeing heavy use, noting he witnessed roughly 50 horses using the site for barrel racing practice the night before the grand opening. Looking forward, he hopes the site will host poultry judging, lamb showings, heifer development, and future bull sales.
"Children are our future... they are our legacy," Quick said. "We are to teach them our values, to teach them how to be the next generation of leaders. So to just get to be a part of that is a responsibility that I find a little overwhelming, but thank the Lord that I get that opportunity."
Corporate partners emphasized that funding the accompanying greenhouse was an investment in the county's future workforce and environment.
"This greenhouse is a natural fit for Georgia Power," said Cassandra Cox, a representative for the utility company. "We live here in the community. We work hard to build a sustainable future, and this is a key part of that."