Okaloosa County breaking ground on agriculture learning center tomorrow

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. ( WKRG ) — Okaloosa County officials announced a groundbreaking ceremony on July 17 for a new agriculture extension office.

According to a news release from the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners, the ceremony will kick off at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, which are located at 1954 Lewis Turner Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach.

LOCATION:

The new building will replace a storm-damaged building.

The agriculture extension office will allow staff within the Okaloosa County’s University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services Extension to offer several courses, programs, workshops and meetings.

“The staff at our Extension Office does an outstanding job of educating and providing agricultural services to the public,” Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon said. “This new south Okaloosa facility will allow them to expand on their existing reputation as leaders in research-based education. I am thankful for the work my fellow Commissioners have done to advocate for this new facility.”

Courses offered at the new facility will include agriculture, family and consumer sciences, commercial and residential horticulture, natural resources and 4-H Youth Development program areas.

“This project is a much-needed resource for the community,” Okaloosa County District 2 Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, who is also the liaison to the UF IFAS Extension Office, said. “The north Okaloosa Extension Office is such an incredible asset and we are fortunate to be able to build an equally appropriate building to serve south Okaloosa County residents and the Extension’s programs.”

The building will be 3,000 square feet and will be able to accommodate for large groups. It will also feature a full teaching kitchen, a small laboratory, storage and office space.

Construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025.

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