WELCOME TO THE RURAL TRAINING & RESEARCH CENTER - Epes, Alabama
FISHING, HUNTING, WORKSHOPS, HOST EVENTS & RETREATS, FARM DEMONSTRATIONS, GET MARRIED, BOOK TOURS, HIKE, ENJOY NATURE...
Home to the Agroforestry Center, Youth Forestry Camp, CoopEcon, Alabama State Association of Coops, demonstration projects, fishing ponds, & nature trails on 1300 Acres in the Alabama Black Belt
RTRC Director, Freddie Davis
The collective membership of the Federation owns the Rural Training and Research Center (RTRC), located between the towns of Epes and Gainesville in Sumter County, Alabama. Together with the Panola Land Buying Association, we own more than 1,300 acres of farm and forested land, which forms the land base of the RTRC.
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Local Administrative office
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A dormitory that holds 70 overnight guests
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A large multi-purpose building for large pieces of training
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Agricultural research and demonstration sites
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Agroforestry center
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Silvo-pasture goat herd
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Nature trail
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Fishing ponds
OPEN Demonstrations
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HOOP HOUSE
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FENCED IN GARDEN WITH PLASTIC CULTURE IRRIGATION
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FOOD SAFETY SHED
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HYDROPONICS
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GRAZING FIELDS
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LONGLEAF PINE PLANTATION
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FRUIT ORCHARD WITH ALLEY CROPPING
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LONGLEAF PINE WITH DIFFERENT MANAGEMENT REGIMES
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LOBLOLLY PINE PLANTATIONS
The RTRC also oversees the Wendy Hill Subdivision in Gainesville, Alabama, a 38-unit apartment complex serving low-income families.
The RTRC is the hub of operations for the Federation and also the base of operations for the Alabama State Association of Cooperatives (ASAC) outreach and technical assistance staff.
RTRC, staff works on projects with:
USDA – Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service(APHIS), USDA – Rural Development, Environmental Protection Agency
US Endowment for Forestry and Communities, and Democratizing Rural Electric Cooperatives Campaign.
Each program and partner contributes significantly to the success of the RTRC. The RTRC also serves as a meeting place for Federation activities and member groups in the area such as the AlabamaState Association of Cooperatives, Southeast GoatProducers Coop (SoGoCo), and our youth forestry camp.
HOST YOUR EVENTS
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FAMILY REUNIONS
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WEDDINGS
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TRAINING
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WORKSHOPS
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
Forestry Camp and Internship Program
Rural Training & Research Center- Epes, Alabama
The purpose of this program is to provide graduating high school Juniors and Seniors and incoming college freshman with the opportunity to work in the Agriculture or Forestry field and get hands on experience.