High school agri-science center opens with ribbon-cutting

WAYLAND, Iowa — A plant sale and open house May 2, 2026, drew a large crowd to WACO High School's new ag education facility. Carl A. Nelson & Company was engaged by the WACO Schools Foundation for the public-private partnership project, working in the role of Construction Manager at-Risk.

The Eichelberger Farms Agri-Science Center houses 6,256 SF of classrooms and live animal labs for students, and serves as home for WACO's Future Farmers of America program. In addition to the main building, there also is an adjacent 1,800 SF greenhouse.

A donation by the Eichelberger family to the WACO Schools Foundation made the approximately $2.25 million project possible. Superintendent Spencer Leuders said the facility will support an expanded ag program with expanded teaching staff in 2026-27.

Nick West, the WACO FFA president, said the center "represents not just a new facility, but a commitment to hands-on learning, innovation, and the future of agriculture in our community. Today, we’re proud to share this space with you through our ribbon cutting, open house, and our first annual plant sale."

Among the speakers was Carl A. Nelson & Company Tad Morrow, who led the firm's construction management team during pre-construction planning, and construction which included self-performed work and full-time on-site supervision.

"Thank you for letting us be part of it," Morrow said. "I think it turned out well. Happy for the school and happy for the community."

Livestock including hogs and sheep occupied several of the pens inside the animal lab space at the Eichelberger Farms Agri-Science Center at WACO High School. CANCO