Heifer Village on the Heifer International campus in downtown Little Rock was dedicated on Friday morning.
Heifer Village entails the Murphy-Keller Education Center as well as an open commons and restored wetlands area. The education center, modeled after Heifer’s headquarters building, will enable the non-profit organization, dedicated to fighting world hunger and poverty, to expand its educational outreach.
Joining Heifer president and CEO Jo Luck for the dedication ceremony were keynote speaker Dr. Paul Farmer, co-founder of Partners in Health, Gov. Mike Beebe, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola and Charles Stewart, immediate past chair of the Heifer board.
"Little Rock is part of a very big globe," Farmer said. "You are very wise to celebrate Heifer’s contributions over the last six decades. You are right to feel lucky to have this beautiful building right here in Little Rock."
The education center includes a green building design, a state-of-the-art conference hall, a "Dreaming Cows" mural, a cafe and gift shop, and numerous exhibits that depict life in developing countries.
Stodola noted his pride in Heifer’s presence in Little Rock after opportunities to move its headquarters elsewhere. He said Heifer is the benchmark of a world-class non-profit corridor in the city, including the Clinton Library, Winrock International and future projects in the River Market District for Lions World Services for the Blind and CareLink.
The education center was designed by Little Rock architects Polk Stanley Rowland Curzon Porter, the same firm that designed Heifer’s award-winning green headquarters. Including the commons and wetlands, Heifer Village is a $13.5 million project.
Dedication ceremonies will last throughout the weekend with family activities including children’s music, a fair, live animals, world games, brick making and tours. In addition, children’s writers and artists, such as Page McBrier, author of "Beatrice’s Goat," will be on hand.
Ceremonies are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Following the dedication, the village will be open for daily tours Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free through June 2010.
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