Urban-Rural Interface Conference

Normal, AL – March 8, 2002 – The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Urban Affairs and New Nontraditional Programs unit will sponsor its Urban-Rural Interface Conference Thurs., April 18. The annual conference will be held at the Dawson Building on the Alabama A&M University campus from 8:30 am to 3 pm. This year’s theme is "Educating Communities to Respond to Urban-Rural Interface Issues."

As rural farmlands give way to urban environs, events like the Urban-Rural Interface Conference provide a platform to educate citizens on issues where these geographic areas and populations overlap or share common boundaries. Educators and other professionals are aware of how important it is to have a strong rural component and a viable urban presence.

"We see the Urban-Rural Interface Conference as another avenue to share and exchange information on issues that are important to individuals living in both rural and urban communities. This moves Extension one step closer to realizing our vision of serving the needs of all people across the state," says Extension State Program Leader Dr. Jannie Carter.

This year’s event, under the leadership of Extension Community Resource Development Specialist Dr. Dony Gapasin, will feature a keynote speaker, seminars, a panel discussion, and exhibits. Participants will engage in discussions about the economic impact of expansion on urban and rural communities, establishing homeland security partnerships to protect our natural resources, and other stimulating topics.

"The conference will not only help to educate Alabama citizens about critical issues, but it will help them form important partnerships to respond more effectively to challenges they face daily," says Dr. Gapasin.

Extension personnel, representatives from public and private organizations, community leaders, educators, students, service providers and consumers are invited to attend.

Registration is $10.00. For more information, contact Dr. Dony Gapasin at (256) 858-4965 or (256) 851-5710, Fax: (256) 851-5840.

If you want to learn more about the interface of urban/rural communities, be sure to catch the April issue of Metro News (www.aces.edu/urban/metronews) online April 5.

Source: Dr. Dony Gapasin, Extension CRD Specialist and Dr. Jannie Carter, State Program Leader, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (256) 858-4965 and (256) 858-4943, respectively.