A $2.6 million combined gift was announced by FiberMax Center for Discovery, a nonprofit agricultural history and education center in Lubbock, in late December.
The joint donation was made by Craig and Ann McDonald of Lubbock, Joe and Christy Hurst of Idalou and Terry and Sheri Hurst of Idalou. Their gift is the final funding needed to start construction on a one-of-a-kind agricultural literacy wing called AgWorks.
“It’s an honor to be able to be a part of this. When they first mentioned this, I knew this would be our deal for the museum,” said Joe Hurst at the press conference as he addressed the crowd on behalf of the three families.
AgWorks is a hands-on gallery focused on fourth grade and below, teaching visitors of all ages where their food and fiber comes from and connecting them back to the farmers and ranchers. Exhibits will include an irrigation water table, crop cycles, a large animal vet clinic, animal barn, grocery store and more.
Throughout the 5,000 square feet gallery, visitors will also find a theme of careers in agriculture, where children can explore a variety of jobs from truck drivers to scientists.
“Every school, even 80-100 miles from here, every year, I’m going to say a 3rd or 4th grader will visit this museum on a field trip,” Hurst said.
The first donations for the project at FiberMax Center for Discovery came in 2015. Inflation, as a result of COVID-19, increased the budget from $4.3 million to $6.4 million.
“From the smallest gift to the largest, every dollar has gotten us to this moment today. We have to educate the public on the importance of agriculture, where their food and fiber comes from and the people that make it happen every day,” said Lacee Hoelting, executive director of the FiberMax Center.
Hoelting’s daughters, who had both made donations from their piggy banks, helped fill the fundraising thermometer to show the impact of how the McDonald and Hurst gifts reached the goal of $6.4 million.
Breaking ground in 2023, construction will include a Cotton Heritage Center, classroom, rotating exhibit gallery and an archives, in addition to the agricultural literacy wing.
There are still needs to be met and sponsorships available in the next phase.
Donor information:
Craig and Ann McDonald are Lubbock natives. Craig graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in business and finance and then served two years in the U.S. Army. Ann graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in journalism. Craig started farming in Crosby County in 1959 and married Ann in 1960. Together, they raised cotton, grain sorghum, wheat and pecans, along with two daughters and a son. Today their family includes four grandkids, four great grandkids and many friends.
Craig and his late brother Mickey partnered with the L. J. (Red) Hurst family in 1970 to build one of the largest John Deere implement dealerships in the Southwest. Their relationship with the Hurst family has been one of success, respect and love for over 50 years.
Terry and Sheri Hurst have been married for 50 years. Terry started working at Hurst Farm Supply when he was 15 years old. He graduated from Texas Tech with a mechanized agriculture degree in 1975 and celebrated his 50th work anniversary at Hurst Farm Supply in 2019. He also serves on the board of the FiberMax Center. Sheri grew up on a farm and graduated from Texas Tech in 1987 in home economics and elementary education in 1987. She taught school for 20 years in Lorenzo and Idalou. They have three sons and seven grandchildren.
Joe and Christy Hurst have been married for 48 years, both growing up in Idalou, they graduated from Texas Tech. After teaching agriculture for one year, Joe went to work at Hurst Farm Supply. Christy taught school for 10 years and then owned and managed a nursery and was a florist for 10 years.
They have two sons, two daughters-in-laws and five grandchildren. Their boys have been involved in agriculture their whole lives through Hurst Farm Supply, FFA projects and events. Jerred owns his own digital marketing company and Jay is still involved in the ag industry as the store manager in Slaton for South Plains Implement.
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