Come see inside our hard working beehive, let your kids climb on a vintage tractor, and learn about how food is grown, when the Museum of Ventura County's long awaited Agriculture Museum opens in Santa Paula on Sunday, September 25. Enjoy free admission for the day, docent led tours, and live music by the Lynn Mullins Pickup Band, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Insects: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly features the museum’s own working beehive and macro close-up photographs of bees, taken with a scanning electron microscope by artist and photographer Rose-Lynn Fisher. Visitors can examine bugs with an "EyeClops" microscope, and learn about insects such as the tiny but fierce Asian Citrus Psyllid, which poses a serious threat to the citrus industry.

Eight vintage tractors, dating from 1914 to 1955, are found throughout the building, including one upon which children can sit. The machines are part of a rotating display of the museum’s nationally recognized collection of farm implements. display of the museum’s nationally recognized collection of farm implements.

Permanent exhibits using rare historical photographs and interactive elements, tell the story of Ventura County’s farming and ranching tradition. Starting with Mission times, visitors can trace the county’s evolution into one of the nation’s most productive growing regions, and learn what innovations are in store for an industry that presently employs more than 30,000 county residents.

The realization of more than 40 years of effort and dedication by supporters, the Agriculture Museum is appropriately housed in the landmark 1888 restored Mill building, at 926 Railroad Avenue, beside the railroad tracks and across from the depot in Santa Paula, California's historic downtown.

The museum is open 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, with admission $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, and children under 6 free. Membership in the Museum of Ventura County includes free admission to both their Agriculture Museum and the Museum of Ventura County’s primary location at 100 East Main Street in Ventura. For more information, go to www.venturamuseum.org

To receive information about the September 24 Grand Opening Celebration Fundraiser for the Agriculture Museum, please contact development@venturamuseum.org.