Okaloosa County celebrates opening of new extension office named for Sheila Dunning in Fort Walton Beach

An agency official from the Extension Services opened a ribbon‑cutting Thursday morning in Fort Walton Beach to mark the opening of a new Okaloosa County extension office named for the late Sheila Dunning. The official invited attendees to tour the facility and said the location will let staff "serve more individuals and better our community in the future."

The official said the building honors Sheila Dunning, who served for many years as Okaloosa County's commercial horticulture agent; some of her family attended the ceremony. The speaker described the extension office as a partnership with the University of Florida — "Go Gators" — and emphasized that the office serves a wide range of residents, not only commercial farmers.

"Our mission is to make our communities' lives better here in Okaloosa County," the official said, listing services the center will offer, including soil testing, information on federal grant opportunities, Master Gardener classes and 4‑H programming that mentors young people. The official specifically thanked Master Gardener volunteers in the audience and said they "deserve this wonderful building."

The speaker acknowledged elected officials who supported the project, saying Representative Boyles and Chairman Goodwin were on the board when plans began and helped bring the project to fruition. County Commissioner Drew Palmer was also present. The speaker mentioned hopes that the local "Miss Ruth Farmer's Market," named for Ruth Clark, might be revitalized as part of the South End's agricultural activity.

The ceremony began at about 8:30 a.m. with remarks, a blessing and a communal countdown to the ribbon cutting. Attendees then were invited to tour the new facility.