10/15/1999

Agricultural Listening Sessions Slated for October

AUBURN, Ala.—Alabama farmers and other agricultural producers will have a chance to discuss the current crisis in agriculture with agricultural leaders from Auburn University later this month in a series of public forums called Alabama Agriculture 2000 Listening Sessions.

"The crisis in agriculture is multi-dimensional and long-term. It hasn't just developed, but it's been a growing problem for a number of years," says Dr. Luther Waters, dean of Auburn University's College of Agriculture and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. "For example, a number of years ago if there was a bad cotton crop farmers could generally look forward to higher prices the next year because of shorter supply levels. Now our farmers can have a bad year, but supply will remain high thanks to imports from overseas.

"The purpose of these listening sessions is just that---to listen to the needs and concerns of Alabama farmers. We need to know on a personal level what they are facing. This will enable us to tailor our research and extension efforts to these problems."

Dr. Stephen Jones, director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, agrees with Waters. "We have excellent research and extension programs in place. But these sessions will give us valuable insight on how to redirect our efforts to address crisis issues. We want to help farmers deal with higher production costs, increased risk and the changing regulatory environment."

"Alabama Agribusiness 2000" listening sessions will be held in six locations across the state on October 26, 27 and 29. Farmers and livestock producers are urged to attend and to express their needs for support in the upcoming millennium. Designed to be informal, each session will have a moderator and will include a number of "listeners" from Auburn's College of Agriculture, University Administration and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

The six sites and times include: October 26, at 7:30 a.m. in the Dale County Government Building in Ozark; October 26, at 4:30 p.m. in the Lion's Community Center in Atmore; October 27, at 7:30 a.m. in the Demopolis Civic Center; October 27, at 4:30 p.m. in the Clanton Recreation Center in Clanton; October 29, at 7:30 a.m. in the Bevill Center Auditorium at Snead Community College in Boaz; and at 1:30 p.m. in the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in Decatur.

For more information about these meetings, please contact your County Extension Office.

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
by Roy Roberson

10/15/99