Florida A&M University To Pump New Life Into Former USDA Research Station
October 27, 2015 More than 3,800 acres of land and buildings that made up the former USDA Subtropical Agricultural and Research Station in Brooksville, FL, has been transferred to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (Florida A&M).
The transfer includes 3,812 acres with 19 buildings, 2,830 square feet of laboratories, 3,600 square feet of office space, and a variety of other support structures constructed between 1932 and 1987.
According to USDA, this is one of the largest single land transfers to one of the 19 historically black land grant universities established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890.
The site housed the station from 1929 until it closed in 2012.
Since Brooksville is located in a subtropical region, the property will enable Florida A&M to expand into new research related to subtropical fruits and animals and conduct research of significance to Central and South America, and the Caribbean. It also will enable the University to expand its organic farming.
Florida A&M also is developing several partnerships with local organizations to provide training to veterans interested in farming. The partnerships will include establishing some small farms for veterans as a way to transition back from military service.
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