The Kentucky FFA Association broke ground yesterday for the Rising Sun Center at the Leadership Training Center (also known as FFA Camp) in Hardinsburg, Kentucky.

The new activity center will accommodate the more than 2,000 campers who use the Leadership Training Center each year. Construction will be completed in the summer of 2026.

“We’re excited about Rising Sun Center and the opportunities it’s going to offer for generations of campers,” said Matt Chaliff, executive secretary of Kentucky FFA and the agricultural education consultant in the Kentucky Department of Education. “Camp is a transformative experience for so many students. It’s the place where they may first begin to develop a practical understanding of what it means to be a leader and gain confidence in their own abilities to make a positive impact on the lives of others. This building is a much-needed addition to our facilities.”

The Rising Sun Center project is funded by the Kentucky General Assembly. Efforts for the appropriation of funds were led by State Representative Steven Rudy and Brandon Reed, Executive Director for the Kentucky Office of Ag Policy. Both Rudy and Reed are former Kentucky FFA state officers. Kentucky Farm Bureau also played a crucial role in garnering support for the project.

“As a past Kentucky FFA state president, former camp staff, Vice-Chair of Appropriations and Revenue during my tenure as a State Representative, and current Executive Director for the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy, I was humbled to attend the groundbreaking of the new Rising Sun Center at the Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center,” said Reed. “This project signifies our steadfast commitment to nurturing leadership and growth for the next crop of leaders.

“Securing the necessary funds in the state budget for the Rising Sun Center was a collaborative effort, and I am especially grateful to House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy for his invaluable support and partnership in getting this done. His leadership has been crucial in bringing this project to fruition in conjunction with the Kentucky General Assembly.

“The FFA motto, ‘Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve,’ embodies the essence of the Rising Sun Center and represents a significant step forward for Kentucky FFA. It will serve as a hub for learning and service, a place where future leaders will be equipped with the skills and values essential for success and community contribution.”

The Kentucky FFA Association is a student-led organization whose mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. There are currently 23,551 Kentucky FFA members.