Bill Hill, Interim Director 863-519-8677 ext.103 • Email
General Office: 863-519-8677 • Fax: 863-534-0001 • Email
1702 Hwy 17-98 South • Bartow, FL 33830 • Map
Mail: P.O. Box 9005 - Drawer HS03 • Bartow, FL 33831-9005
Hours of Operation: M-F 8AM - 5PM
The Polk County Cooperative Extension Service addresses a wide range of agricultural and environmental science issues affecting the citizens of Polk County. The Cooperative Extension Service provides educational, professional expertise and practical demonstration of science based research in agricultural and environmental sciences. This research is our community’s link to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Polk County Extension Agents develop educational programs that address the critical issues facing the citizens of Polk County. These issues include but are not limited to, water quality, water quantity, green space protection, protection of a viable tax base, natural resource conservation, stable employed work force, stable economic growth and the development of life skills for youth. According to the 2002 USDA agricultural census, 626,634 acres are devoted to farming in Polk County. This figure represents 53% of the total land mass in Polk County is in farmland. This represents a valuable land management asset. Many of these lands are managed under best management practices that ensure their agricultural economic viability while preserving a stable tax base for Polk County. Best management practices are agricultural and urban production practices that reduce potential adverse impacts to the environment. Polk County’s annual food and fiber sales are valued at 4.5 billion dollars with an associated 35,404 jobs
For detailed information about the Cooperative Extension Services visit the website at http://polk.ifas.ufl.edu/ 