Bainbridge, GA |
For generations, agriculture has shaped the economic backbone of Southwest Georgia. Now, that legacy is getting a major boost as Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College expands its nationally recognized ag education program to the Bainbridge campus—an initiative years in the making and now officially launching this fall.
“It’s been part of the vision from the very beginning when I started a little over three years ago,” says Dr. Tracy Brundage, President of ABAC. “We’re just incredibly excited. It’s a team effort, and everybody jumped on board to move into action and make it happen.”
The move is more than symbolic—it’s a major step forward in workforce development for rural Georgia. It gives both traditional students and working professionals a new opportunity to pursue a degree in agriculture without having to leave their community.
“There may be some folks currently working within the industry that want to complete a degree,” says Dr. Andrew Thoron, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “And then also, there may be some students that don’t wish to travel to Tifton. This makes it more accessible.”
For ABAC, it’s a strategic fit. With Decatur County and the surrounding region representing a strong agricultural footprint, bringing a top-tier education program directly to this area ensures more students can pursue meaningful careers close to home.
“This county, this region—it’s a huge agricultural footprint,” Brundage says. “This program is the leading agricultural education program in the country. It just makes sense to expand that reach and better serve this region.”
While the name may imply teacher prep, ABAC’s ag education degree offers far more than a path to the classroom. Students can pursue tracks in agronomy, animal science, and other specialized fields, opening doors to a wide variety of careers in the ag sector.
“Sometimes people hear the term ‘agricultural education’ and think it’s just for teaching, which it is,” Thoron explains. “But we also offer a track called agricultural studies. That’s for students who want to focus on agronomy, animal science—really anything technical. We’re developing work-ready graduates who can stay in this region and become the next generation of managers and innovators.”
Local response to the program has been overwhelmingly positive, with community leaders and agricultural stakeholders applauding the move after years of advocacy.
“It’s something the community has been asking for,” says Brundage. “I’ve been meeting with leaders since I got here, and they all expressed interest—asking, ‘When are we going to have ag programs in Bainbridge?’ We’re just really excited to launch this today.”
By: Damon Jones