Outdoor classroom to be dedicated at agriculture center

CORTLAND -- For many years, staff at the Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District have had to set up tables and tents for outdoor programs for area school children.

That will change now with the recent completion of a 20- by 40-foot outdoor classroom building on the grounds of the Trumbull County Agriculture and Family Education Center, 520 W. Main St., Cortland.

The building is scheduled to be dedicated 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the center during the Trumbull County commissioner meeting. A reception will follow.

Amy Reeher, district administrator of the Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District, said the $47,000 building was needed for additional activities and programs held outside.

''Three seasons of the year, we can use the outdoor building for our programs. We needed a permanent outdoor classroom structure for the outdoor programming we have,'' she said.

Besides TSWCD, the Farm Service Agency, National Resources Conservation District and Ohio State University Extension at the agriculture center can also use the building.

In 2010, the district's board of supervisors worked on a plan to financially cover an outdoor classroom area adjacent to the pond on the property.

Reeher said grant funding was not available for the structure

In addition to seating, there is a storage area for tables, chairs and educational materials. Large stones are also located next to the structure that people can sit on.

''People who come here and walk the gardens can also eat lunch here,'' she said.

Barbara Enoch, district educator, said she looks forward to using the outdoor classroom for upcoming school programs and field learning days.

One of the first events in the building will be the Junior Envirothon in October.

''As an educator I can see where I will be using it a lot,'' Enoch said.

''With the addition, we will be able to have field days at the center making it an outdoor laboratory and educational center. Those visiting the center can use the building, visit the gardens, nature trail and outdoor areas,'' Reeher said.

Work was completed by People's Building Company of Hubbard.