Meriwether cattlemen propose ag center, arena and ask county for 15 acres

Lanny Rampling, president of the Meriwether County Cattlemen's Association, proposed that the county support development of an agricultural center and covered arena and asked the board to commit roughly 15 acres of land so the group can pursue state and federal grant funding.

Rampling said the ag center would be “approximately 60 by 80” feet with upgraded entry, offices for UGA Extension, a meeting room for about 120 people and a community kitchen. He said the covered arena would be roughly 200 by 300 feet and host farmers markets, student farm day, horse and cattle shows and rodeos.

The proposal, Rampling told the board, grew from repeated crowding at the group’s current meeting space and a recent student farm day that brings every fifth grader in the county to agricultural demonstrations. “We have maxed this space out several times, and we're in need of a larger space,” Rampling said.

Kenneth Murphy, president of the Meriwether County Farm Bureau and a dairy farmer, said the Farm Bureau represents about 720 farm members and pledged seed money if the county provides land and the partnership finalizes ownership and operating responsibilities. “We are willing to put some seed money into this if y'all donate some land,” Murphy said.

Commissioners asked practical questions about funding, ownership and operations. Vice Chair Emmett Collins noted state grant timelines and encouraged the presenters to secure site control for a grant match before submitting proposals to the legislature and appropriations committees; presenters said legislators advised assembling about 25% of project value in land or cash commitments before applying.

Commissioners and staff said legal and real-estate details — who would own and operate the facility, maintenance responsibilities and whether the school system or 4‑H would have office space — would need to be worked out. Commissioners expressed general support for pursuing options and advised the group to return with more detailed plans and a request for specific county action.

The board did not vote on the proposal at the meeting. Commissioners said staff and legal would advise on acceptable land transfers or lease arrangements and on steps needed to apply for state or USDA grant programs.

Rampling and Murphy said they would continue planning, seek architectural drawings and meet again with county staff to clarify ownership and operating options.

Ending: The cattlemen left the meeting with agreement from commissioners to consider the concept; presenters will return with more specific plans and documentation to support grant applications and any request for county land.