Dedication Ceremonies Set for New Wiregrass Agricultural Facilities

A ceremony to dedicate $1.5 million in new and renovated facilities for the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center (WREC) in Headland is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m. at the center. The WREC is located at the intersection of Alabama Highway 134 and U.S. Highway 431 North.

The new facilities for this outlying unit of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) include a 3,120-square-foot office building to house Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) personnel and a 4,800-square-foot auditorium.

The project also has included renovations to the existing AAES office building; improvements to parking areas, sidewalks, roads and landscaping; and upgrades in water, sewer and power lines.

Construction was financed with proceeds from the 1998 Agriculture Bond Issue.

The WREC, which was founded in 1928 and began research experiments in 1930, is a primary source of information on agricultural production in south-central Alabama as well as in Georgia and Florida. Research at the 600-acre unit focuses on peanuts, cotton, forages, corn, melons and fruit trees, as well as catfish, tilapia and freshwater prawns.

In addition to its research component, the WREC is home to numerous Extension specialists and agents who provide farmers, those in agribusiness and the general community information on everything from peanut production to home gardening.

The public is invited to attend the dedication and tour the new facilities. For information, call the WREC at (334) 693-2363.

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu

9/27/04

For immediate release