EXTENSION REPORT

Fifteen leaders from Mobile and Baldwin Counties participated in the Gulf Coast Leaders program.  The goals of the program included engaging leaders in their communities; providing opportunities to interact with local, county and state leaders; exploring current issues relating to the agriculture and forestry industry; and improving communication, presentation, and leadership skills.

During the first session, leaders participated in a public speaking presentation, a discussion of rural development issues and information on communication technology.

The Gulf Coast leaders traveled to Montgomery for the second session.  The group participated in tours of the Alabama Cattleman’s Association, The Alabama Forestry Association and the State Department of Agriculture.  The leaders had an opportunity to observe a legislative session.   The next day, the leaders group traveled to Auburn to learn about bio-energy and alternative fuels.  The program included demonstrations of the biodiesel unit and the gasification units.

The third session at Five Rivers Delta provided information about environmental issues along the Gulf Coast.  The leaders participated in an interactive session on communicating during an interview. The group also heard from several local leaders about the importance of being involved locally.

The Gulf Coast Leaders program was sponsored by the Baldwin and Mobile County Extension Offices and a Rural Alabama Initiative Grant.  We appreciate each of the leaders being involved in this program.

2008 Small Ruminant GI Parasite Workshop

            The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs Unit at Alabama A&M University and the Goat and Sheep Producers of Alabama (GSPA) offer a series of free gastrointestinal (GI) parasite identification workshops. The workshop will be on Saturday, May 3 from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. with one hour for lunch on-your-own. It will be held at the Baldwin County Extension Office at 302A Byrne Street in Bay Minette. The workshops are conducted at the beginning of the grazing season in early spring because this is a time when gastrointestinal parasite infections (worms) are more prevalent. The objective of the workshop is to educate farmers, veterinarian practitioners, Extension agents, and other interested persons on: small ruminant production and alternative herd management, life cycle of gastrointestinal worms, consequences of parasite/host interactions, parasite deworming treatments to reduce infection among goat and sheep herds.

            For detailed workshop information, please contact Dr. Maria Leite-Browning at

256-372-4954.

Email address:swingard@aces.edu

Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.