County agrees to fund $100,000 study for proposed Beginning Farmer & 4‑H agriculture complex at Clark Road

UF/IFAS Extension Director Lee Hayes Byron presented a concept for a Beginning Farmer and 4‑H Youth Agriculture Education Complex on the county’s Clark Road parcel, proposing a livestock incubator, demonstration farm, youth boarding for 4‑H projects and a renovated house for programming. The board asked about operations, partnerships and funding.

Why it matters: Commissioners saw the proposal as a way to build a pipeline of beginning farmers and to expand youth agricultural education in the county. Staff outlined a preliminary cost range for full implementation ($2 million–$5 million depending on scope) and recommended an architectural conditions assessment and schematic design work as a first step.

Board action: The board authorized staff to bring forward a budget amendment to fund the architectural/conditions assignment (estimated $100,000) and to establish a capital project. Commissioners also gave conceptual approval to pursue state legislative appropriations and to include the proposal in other grant/Resilient SRQ/impact‑fee conversations. The vote to direct staff to prepare the amendment carried unanimously.

Next steps: Staff will return with a formal budget amendment request, a scope for the architectural work, and an implementation timeline that will include community engagement and fundraising/partnership outreach.