Bringing a whole new meaning to green agriculture is Alabama’s 4-H Environmental Science Education Center, located south of Birmingham.The Center is the second gold-rated Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building in Alabama, a state that has been somewhat slow in jumping on the green building bandwagon, and slower yet to educate youth about the opportunities to protect and preserve the very environment their livestock depend on.

The Center was established to teach youngsters about environmental issues and to inspire them to raise their livestock in environmentally conscious ways. In the past though, those involved in 4-H clubs have been exposed to traditional agriculture and ranching practices that were not always green.

Housing an agriculturally-focused educational center in a green building will spark new conversations about ranching practices. In learning about the energy efficiency of the Center, a student might take the new knowledge of passive solar lighting and apply that practice to building a barn. In learning about alternative energy supplies, a student might consider harvesting methane from cows as a career option.

Even given a recession, the Center’s architect, Neil Davis finds that “people realize you’ve got to invest a little to save a lot.” More green building projects are popping up all over the southern state, which could cut costs on energy by using energy-efficient cooling systems in new and retrofitted green buildings, and spur young minds into environmentally focused agriculture practices.