Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #699 North Florida Research and Education Center /Marianna-completion of equipment purchase
Requester:	Pat Thomas		Organization:		Florida Senate
Project Title:	North Florida Research and Education Center /Marianna-completion of equipment purchase		Date Submitted:		01/24/2000 11:00:22 AM
District Member:	Pat Thomas		Service Area:		Statewide
Counties Affected:	{Statewide}
Recipient:	North FL REC - IFAS		Contact:		Mike Martin
	Post Office Box 110180		Contact Phone:		(352) 392-1971
	Gainesville 32611
Project Description:
Request for equipment to complete Marianna portion of BOR-130 project to consolidate the UF-IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center from 4 locations (Chipley, Marianna, Quincy and Marianna) to 2 locations (Quincy and Marianna). The equipment is needed to upgrade and increase our capabilities to serve the beef and forage industries across northern Florida and statewide. The equipment will be used to conduct research at the new beef research unit in Marianna in conjunction with other beef researchers in Gainesville and other UF-IFAS sites in the state. Also, the equipment will be used to support cooperative research projects with other research institutions, such as USDA and FAMU. The equipment will be used to support extension education programs at the new center and demonstration projects at many on-farm sites in Florida. This project was partially funded in last year's DACS budget, but was vetoed by Governor.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
(This project is in a Governor's designated Area of Economic Critical Concern). This project will increase our ability to serve the beef and forage industry in the state of Florida. Specifically, we will use the equipment to conduct research on beef cattle production with the aim of improving efficiency and profitability for the ranching industry. Research will be conducted on beef cattle production and farm sustainability with attention to economics, beef product safety and environmental issues such as water quality. Modern cattle and forage production systems will be demonstrated to the cattle producers of the state of Florida. The cattle industry and the citizens of Florida will benefit from this effott to increase the efficiency and sustainability of the cattle industry. The economic stability of the rural, agricultural communities of Florida will benefit from a strengthened and more competitive industry.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
Measurable goals will include: 1) Increase in farmer knowledge about more efficient beef production practices, 2) Adoption of new production practices, 3) Adoption of new nutrient and waste management practices on the beef farm, 4) Increase of profitability for the farmer, 5) Measured economic impact on the rural community, 6) Number of farmers adopting new agricultural enterprises developed by the IFAS beef projects. We anticipate the work supported by this request will result in strengthening and stabilizing the beef cattle industry and result in the development and strengthening of new agricultural enterprises for the beef and forage industries.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$351,000
Total cost of the project:		$4,251,000

Request has been made to fund:			Operations
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?					Yes
	Cash Amount:	$5,000		In-Kind Amount:	$20,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?					Yes
	Fiscal Year:	1997-1998		Amount:	$2,000,000
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?					No
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:	Part of IFAS consolidation plan developed from needs assessment made in 1980's
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?					Unknown