Litton Agri Science Center

The Litton Agri- Science Learning Center started out as a dream by a few local educators to provide hands on training and a place for students to learn real world skills. The Green Hills RC&D was asked by the community to see what could be done to help make the dream a reality. As they say the rest is history...…

The opportunity to have class outdoors makes the learning experience more enjoyable for most students; and that opportunity is provided by the new Litton Agri-Science Learning Center on Highway 190 west of town.

The ground provides FFA and science classes a hands-on learning experience. That experience will include everything from animals, fish and plants, to soil conservation. The center is more than an outdoor classroom’ it carries with it part of the heritage of the community, bearing the name of former Congressman Jerry Litton of Chillicothe, whose family raised the first and finest Charolais cattle operation in the country, starting in the 1950’s. That heritage is being continued as several cattle embryos from the original Litton Charolais herd were donated to the center, FFA classes have implanted the embryos. Other animal testing has also been done at the center.

The center dedicated in June 1994, has already involved Chillicothe FFA and other students in unique ways. Even the preparation of the grounds have provided opportunities for students to learn construction, maintenance and other practical skills. Students built a bridge across the creek on the site; they put up fence and did numerous other projects. The center also provided a place for 25 students to raise animals for the county fair. Many of those students would not have shown an animal at the fair if it weren’t for the center.

A large pond was on the south side of the site was also built. The pond is used to demonstrate proper fish stocking and identification, as well as fishing and kayaking. But the practical learning won’t stop there. Soil conservation and testing are taught to learn proper seeding techniques, many different plants are planted for plant ID, the center also provides an indoor classroom and shelter for animals. The pond is equipped with a dry hydrant which was installed by the Green Hills RC&D. The dry hydrant allows rural fire trucks to fill up with water from the pond to fight area fires.

The Green Hills RC&D had a big hand in getting the center off to a good start by writing the grant funded by the Litton Memorial Foundation and donating $2,000 for brochure information. RC&D then turned the reins over to the Chillicothe FFA Alumni Association, which was able to raise several hundred thousand dollars in fundraisers to offset costs above what the grant could do.

Truly, the Litton Agri-Science Learning Center opens windows of learning to countless students from Chillicothe and outlying areas.

Visit their website for more information here.