The Citrus County Commission today voted to begin negotiations to enter into a lease agreement with a homeless shelter for a dilapidated, county-owned fish hatchery.

DuWayne Sipper, representing The Path of Citrus County in Beverly Hills, says the property will enable the creation of jobs, provide training for jobs and create a source of food for the shelter and even county residents.

"There's just no jobs out there, guys," Sipper told commissioners. So, over the past year, we began looking at ways of creating jobs." Sipper said there is a $300,000 grant available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and could be used for both the organization's organic and fish farms. Other grants might also be available.

The fish farm property is on Parsons Point Road in Hernando, and is approximately 13 to 14 acres. It has been overgrown with weeds, but can be rehabilitated, Sipper said. "Fish farming will produce ammonia and nitrates, which will help fertilize the organic farm."

Sipper also noted that the shelter's organic farm met the nutritional needs of the shelter's clients, and became so popular with the public that the shelter was also able to retail food to the public. Sipper added that the shelter has, to date, helped nearly 1,000 clients.

In addition, he said, the fish farm could become a fresh source of food for the shelter and county residents. "It would also create jobs and bring in tourists," he added.

Much work needs to be done, however. The ponds must be dredged out and grant applications need to be applied for. Under the arrangement, the county would lease the property to allow it to be developed into a full-fledged fish farm.

County Commissioner Dennis Damato said he supported the lease, adding that it was tantamount to creating "green jobs" in Citrus County.

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