Scheduled for March 26 through 27 at the Hyatt Regency at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, the conference will take place at a time many experts describe as an historical crossroads for U.S. farmers.

"Farm prices are as low as they have ever been in recent history, and, coupled with changes in farm legislation, farmers are facing very uncertain times," says Dr. James Novak, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System economist and Auburn University professor of agricultural economics and the conference’s principal organizer.

"More than ever because of this uncertainty, producers and those who work with them need to know as much as they can about managing farm-related risks."

The conference is designed to help public and private educators, crop insurance agents, lenders and those involved in farming at all levels of government learn about the successful risk-management efforts under way throughout the country. Sessions will cover all facets of risk management: production, marketing, financial, family and legal concerns. Regional perspectives on risks and outstanding efforts from across the nation will be presented to help in the development of effective risk education programs for farmers, ranchers and their families.

In only two years, the Risk Management Education Program, funded through the USDA’s Cooperative State, Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), has spread to every corner of the country.

Funding provided through the program has enabled public and private sector educators to help farm families cope with the uncertainties of an increasingly global and volatile farming economy. In one project, for example, Extension professionals used the grants to develop risk management educational training for farm wives in four states.

Another project that will be featured at the conference highlights a program that teaches small-scale producers to develop long-term strategic plans for their farms.

Yet another project will be presented involving an education effort that helps farmers plan the successful transition of their farming operation to the next generation.

"Whether small- or large-scale farm or ranch, agricultural risk educators should find program information to stimulate their thinking and to assist their own program," Novak says.

Organizers are still accepting papers from those involved in the risk-management education process who want to present their program in one of the several concurrent sessions planned for the two-day conference. Posters and display presentations also are being solicited. Deadlines for the submissions should be postmarked before February 15, 2003.

Conference registration details can be accessed at the following website: www.conted.vt.edu/nerisk

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