Each year the over 30 alligator farms in Florida alone produce 300,000 pounds of meat and 15,000 skins.  This prime example of a sustainable resource yields the farmers between $5 and $7 per pound depending on the cut while hides average about $25 per foot wholesale.  In addition to the production of a wildlife product, many facilities provide a tremendous public education function.  A fine example of this is the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.  First established in 1893, this farm is home to all species of crocodilians found in the world.  This is the only place all 23 species may be seen in a single facility.  The farm has worked with the University of Florida for over 30 years on research projects and also is the site of a bird rookery where visitors may see many species of wading birds nesting and raising young in the wild.