March 30, 2006 - St. Lucie County Extension Office's Advisory Council Presents AgTour 2006 -- Registration Deadline Extended!

St. Lucie County has the opportunity to benefit from the various educational and research facilities already established here. St. Lucie County has designated a 1,600 acre Research and Education Park and an Authority Board has been established to oversee the development of this prestigious project. Organizations partnering with the County to provide resources and opportunities in the Park include the University of Florida, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Horticulture Research Lab, St. Lucie County School Board, Florida Atlantic University, Indian River Community College, the Smithsonian Marine Station and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution.

In an effort to present why the Research and Education Park will benefit the citizens of St. Lucie County, the County's Extension Advisory Council will host its annual AgTour 2006. AgTour 2006 "Agriculture Research and Education: Growing the Future Together" will be held Friday, April 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. beginning at the Indian River Research and Education Center, 2199 S. Rock Road in Fort Pierce. Participants will tour facilities of the four major stakeholders in the Park and learn how each of these entities will contribute to the Park. During the AgTour, participants will join the USDA's Horticulture Research Lab annual Open House event and tour labs that are normally not open to the public. The tour is free and open to the public, with transportation and lunch provided by the sponsors. Space is limited to the first 100 participants registering. The deadline to register has been extended to Wednesday, April 5.

To register or for more information, call Marsha Hiott at (772) 462-1660.