Residents express concerns over plans for Polk agriculture center

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — County leaders presented plans to the community Tuesday night for an agriculture center.

While the county believes the facility will be an economic boost, others are not totally on board with the idea.

One of those is Eric Bailey, who has a passion for disc golf. He picked up the sport about three years ago.

“It gets you out in the environment, we’re out in wildlife,” he said.

Every weekend, you’ll find him at the Mosaic Peace River Park on the disc golf course.

“This is one of the top courses in the state of Florida. It brings a lot of challenges, it’s open to creativity with our shots,” he said.

But this space will soon look a lot different. It will be home to Polk County’s newest agriculture center.

Bailey says the change worries him. “This property is already occupied by a disk golf course, nature, birdwatchers,” he said.

Polk County Commissioner Rick Wilson said the facility will include a new arena, livestock stables, trails, and RV parking. They won’t be getting rid of disc golf — it will just be in a new space.

“They’ll still be on the property,” Wilson said. “We’re going to build a nice place for them because they are good for the community and good for what we got going on here.”

Wilson said the county has outgrown the current agricultural center, which is actually in a state-owned building. 

He said a new complex will provide an economic boost for the county. “This is a good starting point. This can be utilized with a lot of different areas and agricultural,” he said.

The county will fund the project, and Wilson says they’ll also be looking for federal grants to move forward.

Bailey said that he is not opposed to a new center, although he hopes the area doesn’t lose the appeal it currently has.

“It’s not just to support disc golf or wildlife, agriculture, everything that’s out here is important to everybody,” he said.

The county’s decision means change is coming, but it doesn’t mean Bailey won’t be able to enjoy disc golf.

Wilson says their goal is to have the center constructed by the end of 2028.