NATIONAL SATELLITE WORKSHOP ON AGRICULTURE

ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

For more information,
contact Donna Reynolds,Extension Assistant Editor

NATIONAL SATELLITE WORKSHOP ON AGRICULTURE AND THE Y2K BUG IS NOV. 18

AUBURN, OCT. 8---Farmers, ranchers, agri-businesses and other small business owners have a unique opportunity to learn more about critical ag-related Y2Kissues and remedies through a national satellite broadcast Thursday, Nov. 18.

The broadcast will air from 7:30-9:30 a.m. (CST). Satellite coordinates are Telstar C4, transponder 23, downlink frequency 4160MHz.

The workshop will focus on potential problems Y2K may have on our nation's agricultural community. Specific topics to be covered include:

Farm, Ranch and Agri-Business Concerns
Business and Family Y2K Risks -- What You Can Do
Government Perspectives
A Panel Discussion and Question and Answer period (Calls and faxes will be taken from viewers.)

Panelists will include university administrators, Extension computer specialists,national program leaders from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, information and technology managers from U.S. Department of Commerce and a special assistant for Y2K, Small Business Administration.

Willem Bakker, Y2K team leader with the Iowa Manufacturing Extension Partnership, stresses the importance of Y2K preparedness in the agricultural community.

"Agriculture is the foundation of our nation's economy. While we're confident Y2K will not be a catastrophic event, there will be some disruptions. It's in our best interest that America's farmers, ranchers and other agricultural concerns are as ready as they can be to deal with potential Y2K problems."

The two-hour broadcast will originate from Ames, Iowa, and will be downlinked nationwide via satellite. It is being offered free of charge as part of a continuing effort to present important Y2K information to all Americans. The satellite workshop is the result of a partnership involving Iowa State University, South Dakota State University Extension, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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