County commissioners say yes to property tax exemption for YPS agri-science center

​YORK – The York County Commissioners have said yes to a permissive property tax exemption for the property near the county shop property, which is owned by the York Public School Foundation, and will be used for York Public Schools’ new agri-science center.

​Millions of dollars have been raised for this one-of-a-kind educational center and fundraising, by the foundation, continues.
This week, the county commissioners – sitting as the board of equalization – met with York Public School Foundation Chairman Sally Ruben, lead ag educator at YPS Jason Hirschfeld and York County Assessor Kurt Bulgrin, to talk about the tax exemption status.
Bulgrin said after he reviewed all the information, he was recommending the exemption.
Hirschfeld and Ruben provided an overhead view of the site. Hirschfeld noted how plot D is not owned by the foundation but Corteva has agreed to let them use it if they want. The buildings, labeled as A, B and C, will be used in a variety of ways.
He explained how Building A will be used for classrooms and meeting rooms. The other two buildings will be used for hands-on learning – one for meat science and an agronomy lab; another for veterinary science and as a large animal facility. The large animal facility will be used to house animals which will be raised and shown by students – which Hirschfeld says has garnered a lot of interest from students, including those who do not come from farm environments.
Ruben said this agri-science center will be the only one in the state which is stand-alone (not part of a school campus) and the educational opportunities are endless and will go well into the future. “We are very excited about this project. This is an agricultural community and we want our kids to stay here.”
The educational center will further young people’s understanding regarding the career fields within the ag sector and will help enhance their interests and enthusiasm.
Hirschfeld read a note he received from Samantha Redfern, a former York Public Schools student, showing the importance of agricultural education. He said he first started trying to recruit Redfern to be a FFA participant/ag student back when she was in the sixth grade, even though she said she had no experience or interest in the agricultural field. “But when she was an eighth grader, she joined and absolutely excelled during her high school years. Today, she lives in Washington D.C. where she is employed by the National Grain Council.”
Redfern’s message to Hirschfeld included her thanks for extending ag education to all students, especially those with no previous experience or interest in the field. She also expressed her gratitude for the program to include kids who aren't familiar with ag-related fields.
“This facility will help us reach all kids, including kids with no experience in ag-related education or the agricultural way of life,” Hirschfeld told the commissioners. “This project will give us the opportunity for hands-on education.”
“We are here simply to grant or not grant the tax exemption,” Commissioner Randy Obermier reminded his fellow board members. “We are obviously here with two very passionate individuals who are behind this project – one has raised a lot of money for this project as well.”
“I like to see kids get creative,” said Commissioner Joe Burgess, noting it wasn’t that long ago he became a York FFA member upon Hirschfeld’s encouragement although he came to York High School with absolutely no prior agricultural experience. Hirschfeld and Burgess both noted how he excelled, just by getting involved and learning what it was all about.
With Bulgrin confirming this property qualifies for property tax exemption, the commissioners voted in favor of putting it on the permissive exemption list.