The original Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center serves as the home for Katy ISD FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience projects. As the FFA and Agricultural Sciences program at Katy ISD grew, the community recognized the need to match the growth of the program with an expansion to the facility.
With 125 acres of learning space geared toward agricultural sciences education, the opportunities are limitless at the new Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center. From the school barns to the project center, L.D. Robinson Pavilion, eco-pond and the W.E. “Billy” Morgan Rodeo Arena, there isn’t another complex in the state that offers this type of educational opportunities for secondary students. The amenities rival those of county fair properties.
Katy ISD students across all grade levels will be provided with unparalleled learning through hands-on experience, as teachers are invited to extend learning beyond campus walls. Students can interact with all things agricultural in classrooms, labs and outdoor learning spaces. The facility features an eco-pond for the study of Fisheries and Wildlife Management. Students also have space to grow crops that will be sold at the farmers market hosted at the facility.
Large graphics and murals will take visitors to the Center on a journey through the rich history of Katy and the Katy ISD Agricultural Sciences program. Curated from a tradition that is more than 75 years old, these images pay homage to the history of the program, formally started in the 1940s, as guests witness its future through the Center’s innovative design.
Each building on the grounds has a specific purpose. The L.D. Robinson Pavilion will house livestock and serve as the backdrop for Katy ISD’s annual FFA Progress and Livestock shows, with space for as many as 2,500 guests to take in the display while enjoying concessions. Up to 5,000 spectators can enjoy the annual rodeo or countless other festivities regardless of the weather in the expansive covered W.E. “Billy” Morgan Rodeo Arena. The project center includes offices, classrooms and labs that support agricultural education for all Katy ISD students. The Agricultural Sciences Center will also serve as a venue for the District Leadership and Judging Contests, as well as district-level and community meetings.
