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A long-awaited harvest: DeSoto County Agri-Education Center opens

By , Daily Memphian Published: June 19, 2025 3:43 PM CT

With local and state officials looking on, a dream that began half a century ago officially welcomed its first visitors Thursday, June 19, mixing agriculture, education and community life in DeSoto County.

The Agri-Education Center, spanning 200 acres on Star Landing Road West, opened its doors with dignitaries, including Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Andy Gipson, the Mississippi agriculture commissioner, in attendance.

The journey for the $19 million facility began more than 50 years ago when county supervisors committed to converting a temporary landfill into a park.

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DeSoto County Agri-Education Center Lee Caldwell Cindy Hyde-Smith Jessie Medlin Subscriber Only

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Brandon LaGrone II

Brandon LaGrone II

Brandon LaGrone Jr. is a Bluff City native who has earned an undergraduate degree in journalism from LSU’s Manship School. He’s written for publications including The (Baton Rouge) Advocate and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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