WINTER 2000

In this issue • Families find strength in grant-funded program • Task force takes on youth and family issues • Des Moines Initiative offers new learning opportunities • Fight fire with fire -- for better firefighter training • Journey into new agriculture ventures • CIRAS works on quality control in agriculture • "Speaking of skin cancer" -- A cooperative success • Conferences examine transitions in agriculture • Dairy laboratory is "center of excellence" __________   The Extension Connection Winter 2000 homepage __________ Previous issues Fall 1999 Summer 1999 Spring 1999 Winter 1999 Fall 1998 __________ ISU Extension homepage

Conferences examine transitions in agriculture Iowa State University and ISU Extension staff are working on two conferences in the coming months relating to the current transitions in agriculture, a rural communities workshop and an "alternative pathways" conference. The rural communities workshop will build awareness of the restructuring process in rural communities, take a look at what is driving the restructuring process and identify opportunities in the new marketplace. Participants will come away with the understanding that the current farm crisis is one part of a larger restructuring process. This restructuring process will proceed regardless of domestic policies and will produce gains for some and losses for others. The alternative pathways conference will focus on how farmers and farm families can successfully participate in Iowa agriculture. The discussion will include commodity agriculture, product agriculture, part-time agriculture and transitions from agriculture. More information about these conferences will be available on the ISU Farm Economy Team Web site, isufarmeconomyteam.org.