Update: New 4-H Livestock Facility In Molino

June 8, 2018

Update: The funds to construct a new 4-H Multipurpose Livestock Facility in Molino are from the Escambia County 4-H Foundation. The funds were distributed from 4-H to the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners in order to use the county bid process. The Escambia County Commission agenda stated the fund were from a county Local Option Sales Tax Fund, but did not reflect the original disbursement by the 4-H Foundation.

Escambia County has updated their practices to be more specific on funding sources.

Original Story:

Escambia County will build a new 4-H Multipurpose Livestock Facility in Molino.

The contract was awarded to low bidder J. Miller Construction for a $103, 398 for the facility to be constructed at the 4-H property on South Highway 99 in Molino.

“The multipurpose livestock facility will serve multiple uses for animal science teaching and animal husbandry. It will provide housing to 4H youth livestock projects and provide a safe environment for youth to learn and grow with their animals. The facility will also be used for day camps, workshops and seminars for other agricultural programs within Escambia County Extension,” according to bid documentation.

The next lowest bid was $125,000 from Diversified General Contractors. Three additional bids were received, with the highest at $171,000.

Comments

13 Responses to “Update: New 4-H Livestock Facility In Molino”

  1. Burnie Silcox on June 11th, 2018 5:15 pm

    I am glad our local General Contractor J.Miller got the bid. He & his family born & raised up here. He hires local people. All jobs Ive seen Company do were First Class.After being in Building–Renovation Business myself for over 40 yrs.They are a good Bunch…

  2. David Lamb on June 10th, 2018 1:41 pm

    I do not mean to be critical. I think the new leadership is doing a much better job. I am thankful that many people i know in Escambia fought for their wants. I just feel that too many pole buildings are being erected that will not last as long as one goob steel building where all the livestock is under one roof and not being dragged from one building to another. Too many chances for accidents

  3. Gulf Coast on June 4th, 2018 12:57 pm

    David,
    The bid went out on a certain design if you were to change the design you would either have to reopen the bid and/or pay for a change order depending on the county rules about this. The building is expensive because being on county property it has to meet more stringent regulations than a pole barn on a farm. Is it a perfect design probably not but it will certainly do what extension needs it to do. Remember where this county was 3-4 years ago with extension and where we are now, counting our blessings.

  4. David Lamb on June 4th, 2018 10:22 am

    It is sad to hear that an Escambia 4H member from the 1960 era has past away. Randall Smith was a team member on the Livestock Judging team. We were always @1 or 2. Randall has grand kids in 4H showing pigs, He was a Tate graduate and Air Force.. Rest in peace Randall

  5. David Lamb on June 3rd, 2018 11:56 pm

    My concern is a pole building vs… a steel building. $103,398 is a lot to pay for a wood pole building when steel would last a lot longer.. It does please me that Escambia sees the need for a show building. I hope that the facility can become a better fair than Pensacola Interstate Fair, more on the line of the old Molino fair. I want Escambia 4H to be as it was in the 60s. Escambia 4H was the best in the state back then. With the funds available… it should be the best in the nation!
    I have showed livestock in several Florida Fairs and Atmore. I have been to many fairs in the midwest and still believe that the Cass County Nebraska Livestock pavillion is the best. Will not hurt to take a look Google Cass county fair Nebraska.

  6. Chknwngs on June 3rd, 2018 9:41 pm

    Yes it has been a long hard-fought battle but we need to back off and allow the wonderful staff that we now have in place to do their job. The facility we have now is far more logically laid out and useful than what we’ve had in the past. We’re on the right path let’s keep moving forward. By letting our youth “Learn by doing”!!!!!

  7. Jimmy Miller on June 3rd, 2018 4:30 pm

    It sure is nice to live in a country as great as the United States where everybody can voice there opinion.

  8. David Lamb on June 3rd, 2018 3:59 pm

    As a former Escambia 4H Live stock exhiiter, and now living in a rural area of Nebraska, I have to oppose this concept. I can send you an extremely versatile design used by Cass County Fair ( operated free admission by local farmers former 4Hers that can handle all types of 4 legged livestock and is the best that i have seenn in my travels. Angus Brewton has seen some in Illinois and I have sent him pictures of this one. It can handle all animals plus has a wash area, scales/grooming area show arena,with bleachers for viewing and with the panels it can be set up for almost any event. It is enclosed down to 6 foot from ground to protect from weather and is extremely versatile. Recommend you look before you build, View at Cass c ounty Fair or Contact Farmer Steve Wehrbein( fair manager).

  9. Grand Locust on June 3rd, 2018 1:31 pm

    These 4h kids are the future of America. The American farmer has transformed the world with almost more than doubling food production from the 1970s as world food production improves around the globe from following American agricultural practices honed by young people coming up with better ways and improved American logistics and distribution models. I congratulate North Escambia for taking the time to report on these kids activities and shining a light on their accomplishments……you just do not hear about these 4h kids getting in trouble. The work ethic combined with the intelligence of these kids will make this world a better place. Money well spent.

  10. Farmer's Daughter on June 3rd, 2018 12:15 pm

    Good News! 4-H is an organization of worthy endeavor. The local organization, along with its sponsors and supporters, fought a valiant and courageous battle to acquire the replacement property they have….good to see the development and training for our future agricultural leaders happening. Keep strong…Head, Heart, Hands and Health strong!!

  11. Robert E Godwin on June 3rd, 2018 10:14 am

    Well, that’s a band aid but not nearly enough to right all the wrongs that were done to the young agricultural students in Escambia County.

  12. Molino resident on June 3rd, 2018 9:26 am

    Now this is how our local government should be run. Total transparency. Also, it is nice to see Northescambia writing about this because it gives us taxpayers some insight that this bidding process was done properly. The transparency of this particular contract shows that the “good ole boy” way did not work on this particular bid. Hopefully, we will see more of this type bidding in the future.

    The low bid should always win…….only if it is a good product.

  13. Bob C. on June 3rd, 2018 8:03 am

    Good sturdy pole building is really useful. 4-H livestock use is great utilization and so is it a great place for picnic tables and a fundraiser.
    Thanks to all those who had to put together the pieces of the puzzle and make this happen.