01/14/2005

Meeting to Update Public on Agriculture, Extension at Auburn, Black Belt REC

AUBURN, Ala. — The future direction of agriculture in Alabama and, in particular, at Auburn University and the Black Belt Research and Extension Center (BBREC) in Marion Junction will be the key focus of a meeting Tuesday, Jan. 25, at the center.

All west Alabama residents are invited to attend the meeting, to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. The BBREC is located at 60 Dallas County Road 944.

The Black Belt meeting is one of a series of Auburn Updates the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System are hosting through early February at the seven AAES/Extension System research and extension centers (RECs) located across the state. The BBREC update will include reports on the current reorganization of Extension and on the status of regional agricultural initiatives and research priorities that have been developed for the regional RECs based on citizens' input at a similar series of meetings a year ago.

The Auburn Update is open to all AAES and Extension stakeholders, a broad group that includes, not just farmers, but all consumers.

Also as part of the regional session, AAES and Extension leaders will report on the actions to date of a 29-member broad-based commission that AU Interim President Ed Richardson has established to advise him on the future direction of agriculture and associated programs at Auburn University.

Richardson has charged the commission—which includes agricultural producers, agribusiness and industry representatives and environmental interests—with creating a vision that will position AU to lead Alabama agriculture in a rapidly changing agricultural environment.

For more information on BBREC meeting in Marion Junction, contact Jimmie Holliman at hollijl@auburn.edu or 334-872-7878.

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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

For immediate release