51st Annual Santa Rosa County Farm Tour
The 51st Annual Santa Rosa County Farm Tour will be held Tuesday October 24, 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 forestry for the 51st edition of the tour. “Resource Management Service is proud to be a partner for the farm tour this year. We plan to highlight the longleaf pine ecosystem restoration in the context of a working forest, with tour stops planned within our Coastal Headwaters Working Longleaf Forest that shows the ability to manage longleaf for wood products, clean water, and longleaf habitat for species including the flat woods salamander and gopher tortoise” said Paul Lambert of Resource Management Service, LLC, and one of the event committee members. The farm tour will showcase a wide range of agricultural and natural resource stops including the Blackwater State Forest, FFA and 4-H Livestock projects, longleaf working forest, and invasive cogongrass management.
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 on the tour and discover what the county’s agriculture and natural resources have to offer while being provided comfortable riding conditions in a charter bus and enjoying a catered lunch. The tour will award the Farm Family of the Year to Burlin and Levi Findley of Wild Boar Farms. A catered lunch will be provided at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center – Jay Research Facility. Traditionally, and continuing this year, the tour will end at Holland Farms to enjoy some of Santa Rosa County’s infamous boiled peanuts.
Come learn with your fellow citizens about how our local farmers and agricultural professionals are providing food, fiber, and energy every day!
Bus space is limited. The fee to reserve your spot is $20. Register online at www.SRCFarmTour17.eventbrite.com. Bus space is limited. 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
Farm tour photo provided by extension office, labeled for personal and commercial reuse.
