Public Perceptions, Lively Debate

Auburn, October 25, 2002 --- A recent survey of Alabamians showed that public knowledge about agriculture, the environment and rural life is often inaccurate. However, those misconceptions may provide a unique opportunity for enlightenment and frank discussion.

The survey, commissioned by the Auburn University Butler-Cunningham Endowment in Agriculture and the Environment and conducted by the AU Center for Governmental Services, revealed that Alabamians are uninformed about agriculture and the environment, yet are sympathetic and concerned about environmental issues and the future of rural Alabama.

Those misconceptions spurred Auburn faculty to organize the first Butler-Cunningham Conference on Agriculture and the Environment, to be held on Nov. 13 and 14 at the Birmingham Marriott Hotel. The conference will feature a candid discussion of the status of agriculture in Alabama and, planners hope, will open a dialogue for future meetings and planning.

The meeting planners encourage all interested people to attend and hope it will draw from all concerned sectors, including the public, policy makers, regulatory and governmental agencies, agriculturalists, environmentalists, industry representatives and many others.

For more information about the conference, contact June Burns, 334-844-4076 or jburns@acesag.auburn.edu, or Claude Boyd, 334-844-4075, or visit the Web site at www.ag.auburn.edu/BC.

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