In today’s fast-paced, hi-tech world with smartphones and all things electronic, sometimes it’s nice to completely disconnect and enjoy nature for all she has to offer. If this sounds like fun to you, then consider visiting The Florida Agricultural Museum.[emember_protected custom_msg=”Click here and register now to read the rest of the article!”] The Florida Agricultural Museum was established in 1983 by a group of concerned agriculturalists and historians at the request of Agricultural Commissioner Doyle Conner to help preserve this important part of Florida’s heritage. Originally located in Tallahassee, the museum was part of the Division of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
This popular attraction is really so much more than a museum, featuring half and full day adventures to Florida’s rural past. In 1997, the museum moved to its new home on 460 acres in Flagler County. It’s located in Palm Coast between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville. The attraction offers a full calendar of events including equestrian rides, a walk back in time, blues and folk festivals, and seasonal events around Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
The grounds of the attraction are home to hundreds of wildflowers. Two of the flowers, the Catesby’s Lily and Hooded Pitcher plants, are very rare and considered to be threatened plants.
Another part of the museum’s mission is the preservation of heritage livestock breeds. The museum has a variety of chickens including the Turken, unique because of its turkey-like bare neck. Ducks, including Swedish Blues, waddle across the farm. The Museum’s cows and horses are Florida Cracker, descendants from animals introduced to Florida in the St. Augustine area by the Spaniards during the 1500s.
Perhaps we can use our era’s advancements in technology to free up some time for us to enjoy nature.
CREDITS
column by MICHAEL MARTIN
BIO: Michael Martin of Martin Law Office in Lakeland specializes in agriculture and environmental legal representation. A native of Polk County, Mike attended college at Sewanee in Tennessee, before obtaining a doctorate in law from the University of Florida and has tried numerous cases nationwide since that time. [/emember_protected]
