Russellville, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech University is celebrating a major milestone in the construction of its new agriculture building, a facility that school officials say will bring hands-on learning and cutting-edge technology to students in the agriculture program.
On Thursday, the concrete pad for the future building was officially poured — a key step that signals the project is moving forward right on schedule. According to university officials, the structure itself is expected to be erected in early July, with interior work and equipment installation to follow shortly after.
The building, known as the Farm Credit Agriculture Building, will span 3,300 square feet and is set to become a central hub for agriculture education on the ATU campus. It will feature welding equipment, laboratory space, classroom areas, tool storage, and additional resources tailored to the university’s agriculture program. The facility is projected to open in late 2025.
“This is more than just a building — it’s an investment in the future of agricultural education,” a university spokesperson said. “We’re combining traditional skills with modern technology to help prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders.”
The project is being supported by a coalition of donors and partners. Financial contributions from Farm Credit, Arkansas Farm Bureau, Greenway Equipment, Arvest Bank, and Union Bank have played a major role in bringing the vision to life. Mobley Concrete also stepped up to donate the concrete used for the building’s foundation.
Beyond private contributions, the project received a significant boost from federal funding. A $730,000 grant secured by Representative Steve Womack (AR-03) will allow the university to purchase equipment for the facility, including virtual and augmented reality welding systems. These advanced systems will not only serve ATU students but will also help train future K-12 agriculture teachers as they prepare for real-world classroom instruction.
“Students will get hands-on experience using tools that reflect the direction agriculture and ag education are headed,” an official explained.
As the structure begins to take shape over the coming months, the university sees it as a symbol of progress—not only in terms of campus development, but also in preparing graduates for the demands of modern agriculture careers.
To learn more about the agriculture program and its ongoing developments, visit ATU.edu/Agriculture.
