The 53rd Annual Santa Rosa County Farm Tour will be held Tuesday, Oct. 22, beginning at the Santa Rosa County Extension office located at 6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton.
The longest standing agriculture and natural resources tour in northwest Florida will feature diversified agriculture this year. The tour will highlight farms that continue to adapt with changing markets to ensure success for generations to come. Specialty crop production will be exhibited at Lowry Farms and Holland Farms, commercial angus production will be on display at Hendricks Farm and robotic mowers will be demonstrated at the University of Florida/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center – Jay Research Facility. At the research facility, attendees will have the opportunity to listen to educational talks from Wes Wood, center director, and Paul Lambert, harvest manager with Resource Management Service LLC.
Santa Rosa County agriculture generates $73 million per year and provides numerous jobs to its citizens. The county's population continues to become more and more removed from agriculture and the Santa Rosa County Farm Tour aims to help the citizens understand the value of agriculture and natural resources. Annually, approximately 200 citizens join the tour and discover what the county's agriculture and natural resources have to offer while being provided comfortable riding conditions on a charter bus. A catered lunch will be provided at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center - Jay Research Facility. The tour will end at Holland Farms to enjoy some of Santa Rosa County's famous boiled peanuts.
Bus space is limited. Registration is $20 and available online at srcfarmtour2019.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact the Santa Rosa County extension office at 850-623-3868.
Organizing Agencies and Businesses include:
UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County
Blackwater Soil & Water Conservation District
Farm Bureau Insurance
Farm Credit of Northwest Florida
Florida Farm Bureau
Resource Management Service, LLC
Three Rivers RC&D
UF/IFAS West Florida Research & Education Center
United Bank
USDA Farm Service Agency
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service
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