Contact: Maridith Geuder
To focus attention on food and food security issues, Mississippi State University is sponsoring an Oct. 15 public program involving groups from around the world and the Golden Triangle.
Titled "Tomorrow's Farmers-An Uncertain Future," the 10:30-2:30 p.m. event at the Bost Extension Center includes an international teleconference, panel discussions, a special presentation by MSU President Emeritus Donald Zacharias, and a noon luncheon.
The School of Human Sciences, MSU Extension Service and the Starkville Sustainable Future Roundtable are local WFD sponsors. Continuing education credit is available for clergy, registered dietitians, dietetic technicians, home economists, and social workers.
"The goal is to highlight struggles of the family farm both around the world and in the community," said Wanda Dodson, professor of human sciences and an event organizer.
An 11 a.m. teleconference will examine farming prospects in Third World countries. Originating at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., the broadcast includes a panel moderated by Ray Suarez, host of National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation."
During a modest lunch prepared by student dietetic interns, Zacharias will share recollections from farm life during his Indiana youth.
He will be followed by a panel examining the present and future of Oktibbeha County farming. Moderated by county extension agent Ed Williams, the panelists include Tom Breland, Webb Flowers, John McReynolds, and William Oakley.
A concluding session at 1:30 p.m. will provide an update on community resources for food security. Presenters include Brenda Wilson of Helping Hands Ministries in Columbus, the Rev. Dwight Prowell of Oktibbeha County's Helping Hands and Angela Ganann of District IV Project Homestead. The moderator is Marilyn Waldhalm, United Way executive director.
First held in 1981 and now observed in more than 150 countries, World Food Day is organized by a coalition of 450 private voluntary organizations.
For more information about the MSU program, telephone (662) 325-8429 or 325-2950.