Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #291FY0001 Treasure Coast Agriscience Education Center
Requester:		Dr. William Vogel			Organization:		St. Lucie County School Board
Project Title:		Treasure Coast Agriscience Education Center			Date Submitted:		2/13/01 3:48:13 PM
Sponsors:		Ken Pruitt
Statewide Interest:		Support quality Agriculture education programs using latest technology, research & Envir. BMP's.
Recipient:		School Board of St. Lucie County			Contact:		Kathie Schmidt
		2909 Delaware Ave.			Contact Phone:		(561) 468-5240
		Ft. Pierce 34947
Counties:		St. Lucie
Service Area:		Government Entity
Project Description:
Funds will be used for renovations and improvements to existing St. Lucie County Agriscience farm including upgrading of existing barns, fencing, storage facilities, hydroponics & aqualculture facilities and expansion of water and sewer lines. This project prepares students with the academic and technical skills needed for both immediate employment and advanced educational opportunities in tomorrow's broad and challenging fields of agriculture. It's location is significant not only for the extensive commitment of the cattle and citrus industry, but also that of the many advanced Agriscience research institutions located here such as the USDA Horticultural Research Center, IFAS, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Smithsonian Marine Station and more. Through 21st Century distance learning technologies, the result of this regional collaborative effort may ultimately be shared with other students throughout the state.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Increase number of students who develop an awareness of the diverse and challenging fields of Agriculture such as "Precision Ag", Aqualculture, Biotechnology, Hydroponics, Agro-Ecology, Agronomy; Serve to meet the critical need for developed human resources in Agriculture; Provide a unique avenue for new technologies to be introduced to high school level Agriscience programs and demonstrate to students the broad applications of cutting edge technologies such as GIS/GPS which minimize environmental impacts and maximize resources; Students will recognize the 21st Century Agriculture is a high tech industry; More students will develop an early awareness of the relationships between agriculture and the environment and the critical need for utilization of "Best Management Practices"; Marketing of all aspects of Agriculture.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$500,000
Total cost of the project:			$897,000
Request has been made to fund:				Construction
Type of funding match:		Local
					Total In-Kind Amount:		$2,812,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?							Yes
	Fiscal Year:		1997-1998		Amount:		$90,000
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							Yes
	Amount:		$497,900
	Purpose for future year funding:					YesNon-recurring Construction
	Will this be an annual request?						Unknown
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?							Yes
	Agency:		Agriculture And Consumer Services, Department Of, And Commissioner Of Agriculture
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?							Yes
Is there a documented need for this project?							Yes
	Documentation:		St. Lucie School District Feasibility Study and Comprehensive plan for agriculture property
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?							Yes
	Hearing Body:		St. Lucie County Legislative Delegation
	Meeting Date:		1/18/01