COILILIEG[ OF AGIRJCUHPLURI A NNUAL IRJEROIR7F AUIBUIR, UNiIERSlITY ,t d e I I" $ kn1 -r ~t , I l ;,a .Ht Ip w If I -F ~7J11 K 996 1996 * k Colg fAgiutr Anua Reor ADIITRTV OFFCER William VMsPe i Paul E 0akrvs Jae .MrDa a ndDrco Den Co met -- ---- - 1 Mone -------- --- 7' Kn wldg ---- -- --- -- --- - ; MENT.% I eci, we ntow think wxe ate encing the hest and wort Otmes at Auhur n Unix rxi tx, pcc alix' in agiculture. L et its deal wxith the worst of times. Upon t eflec- tion, there is tno doubt that Auburtn Uiv xersxitv and the agriculturl progranms haxve faced times much wxorsxe than wxe have nowx. Such timex we re in the 18sO~ ax Auburtn prog~ra ms faltered and aim oxt failed, especiallx during the Wat Betxxeen [he States and the tnext decade which fol- lowxed. Bad time n excre experieniced clori ng the deprexsion vcarsx of the I 930s and durn ing the xvar vearsx of the I 9 4 0x. Our xvort" timex inowx pale in comparixon to xome of thexe xtirexxex at Aubur n oxvci the x'earx. We do ftnd ourselxvcx needing mote ftindx for salariex, progr ams, builcdingx, and xcholarsxhips. Coimpetition ix gteater tihan ex er fot xtuden tx, research dolliarx, aind resoutrces for extension. Yet, xxe have dedi- cated people xxhi) not onixy compete, but cauxe Atubtirtn to ptoxpet int timues xvhen needx tie gre at iand r exotitcex xcatce. Tis reportt hltighllights tmanyx of thte "hext" th inigx at Attbur tiUn ixetrxitv, all thte xxay ftotm gtoxwing xttudent nuttberx, jit placemteit, rexeatch xxitich ipaysx big i i dctndx, and extenioit ptrogram whtxxicht it haitgintg to metr agticliiurial, itai' rexsouttccx, atnd entxitronmuerital needx. Whx arc tingx looing iip itt agi ul- tutre it Auibun nivuxersity itn additioni to dedicated facuiltyx arid staff. xxe htatxe xtriong clientele xttppoi t for otit proigiatms. Ncxet h axe w xe expetieniced [lie level of gixvittg fot Autburt itrotgiraits ax htas htappcted i ecit t. T he gi ftx fot xchiolarsxhipx, ttdowxtments, facilities, etc. xx ill alloxx ttx to "gtow ux g pio- gramtt txvci thte setarx. Next, xxe haxve admin- itrtative xttppotrt otn the Au nt cattttut fot ag programs that carries ittto the xtate legix- latti i. Ax ant exatmtplc, Prexidetnt Mtixex bud- get reqluext tot thec legixlaturie axked fht a itightet petrcentage intcreaxe forthle Alabama Agiricutiuralt Ixpe iiiettt Statiott futndx thati foi othtet budget c ategortex. U- I )cut lnns I \ltrinn VWe ate launching a nexx building pio- gant for agricultun e xxhich hax xuppot t fromt mtantx different intdixvidualx and ot ganizatonsx. Before retitrintg, Senatot H eflitn cordittated effots to obtaitn S6 mtilliion in USDA tiindx for a tnexx poultr butilding 1thtie Ala. Fatrmets F ederattiont fpledged S5 mitllioin loi a nexx Lalt Scrx icex Builditng, antd thte Msx. Annt Upchurcht extat e piroxvided $2.4 mtillion tio r enovate tihe Animtal aitd Dirytt Scicttces Building. T hexe giftx xxiii be mtched xxitht at bond ixxue fromt thle Alabamta L cgixiltture arid xvitht gifts fromt oithetrx. I ittle ate both good aitd bad, hut thte good fatt otxightx tile bad. I ioxvxet, ofmttoxt imptnce, the btext is x et to chtme. Nix ltd- xontal thattkx to all otf von fot ttakitng Autbu t t agicu~iltuttal pr ogramtt thte bext exet. II KFRODUCTION aaze',,iew oil iecacsiitc , exsle~tia"s, 'ielean4c/, atd uhun Lnix cisitv's ( ollege of Agricultuire is trulx one of the foundations on wxhich Last Alabama M~ale C ollege, latei Alabama Pol technic Institute, and nowx Auibuirn xxas founded. The C ollege's roots run Jeep xxith names like Dugga, P~etrie, and Mel]. The paths of excellence set forth by the earls pio- neers of scientific agriculture have been close- l, folloxxed by today's teachers, reseatchers, and extension leadeirs. Auburn's C ollege of Agrictiltt e has plased a historic role in the dexvelopment of the states agricultural industry xxhich in one way or another touches each of uts ex vrlay. IThouigh only about twxot percent Of out state's population is activ ely insvolvecd in pro- duction agricttltttre, another 16-18 perxcenlt are employ ed in agi-related inodustieics. IThe C ollege of Agricultti-e. as is the L and ( rant Model, is div ided among reaching, research, and extension components; insaiably these components wxork together as once homoge- nouis family. As individual member of thc family groxx, so groxws the fatmil'. In I1996, thc agricciltural family made somitemendouis growxth, despite some rathei austere budgerary conditions. I orollment in the C ollcge of Agricultcire reached a five-year high in 1 996. xvithi well over 1,100 students. Many of these students came to Aciuurn from high schools around the state andi nation. However, many came from other schools and colleges on campuis. IThe common attractions xxere: "I feel like I'm nowx a part of something here-a sense of famils'," "I heir sys- rem of factilty advisors makes me moiie coinfi- dent that I cam suicceed here," "'Ilie scholatrship ippirituities ate Sii miuch beite hircet," antd, (if co u rse, "I feel thceirc ate iltch biet tei jobh oppo it tui ities for me wxhen I giraduate Impact of thec C ollege' of Agi ictlttic clues- n't sto p at thc' haccailaiureatc cdcgrei ,enom at xi ale iii national hoicders. IThc' (ollei(c' cliricntls has 242 gr aduatie s tudcents puirsuing degi ccs ini line scepaiatce depairtmeinis. "AnchoccI hs an internationally cmlnown foic'ign program in ftrcshxxater fishcieics alnci aycllulttitc Atihur n has decvs lo pc'd a wcll-roundetdcl ciniteirnaltionatl ptrigramii. Stuticcst ftrom eveiry conttiietcit except Aniaictica, hixe giracuateci ftom Aubn o ( ollege (if Agriiculturic, estalising~t an iintc'rna- ional ptesenc' thai War Fagles enicoutnter xwhlen iiavdi ing thc' fai ciiinets o~(f the xxiiild. I he reseairch andc c'xtcnsionir cimiiponen ts ofi thec Coillege ot Agi chltciie aic so cilse' ticcd thati mans' outsicdc Aitburin Unix crsits' don't iecog- nize the distinictioni. Incdeed, riechl aincd c'at silli xwork haninc-iii andc itn thec ( ollcgc, aincd thce betnefits in I196 xxere hountifiul. In 1 996, fisheiciies i csc',ltc Xcis at Aunii xlii xx ci the xxiiild thc' first red snapper spaxwned andc gtiown in captivits. TIhough sig ificaniit itn tha~it xc ictists wiorldic de tc had iedc incd failed ti cii t~lhio oxcet 20 xears, thc rel signtificance is the modcel, xwhlichl tnv he extceiic ecd to oither species and tiltitmatelx chlange ilie faicc iif proltcin-ciiiichic'c fish prouictctioit andc coitsuittptioni xxoi lw icdc. lxx Ye cairs agoi in I995, Al \abama~ ciiitt fai rers had a imiserable year citought, andc xxo rst (if all, to bacci hudworitils turned~t a1 hcau- tifuil c'arll cirop itt an .itilt disaster. ILasi vea, research cxlipeci tc'cinltliig, was pio- illilec arid c'xtcinced to groxwcri s tatewixdce in ithe forim iif a gencetic all avltere cocitton v ariety that caliiecd a nttiuix l iyccuintg killei of tiih~icco budwxotrms. IThis cottotn vaiey cr.xhich iiicliacc a genc' carrin ig bacillus //lurieid'll/'.icileign to hutmans, hut death toti obacco hbicdwoltmsl, hcipecd Alabamt~a cotton i tat mlcrs pro diicec a ncai rcirdc criop in 19i 9 6 . illThoug axviilaiblce thtiiugh- iiut tc' cioilonpirodciniig bcelt in thc'ei Ui tedc 'Staies, th~ankis ti tircless e ffiiirts byx icxtnioni petsone!, Ala~baima l th~e na~tioni itn percet- age of Put ciottonii planltc. Andc, inot intidiintally hielped AlatbamaX~ cttonii fai tml'is proidui cc in tc'if the top five Cirops of thelc' II Yctii5. sitln is at a danltgeirius Ciiosxiioad. I li nolon' has adcvanlicecd iii the polin Xithat scieni ts andlc iincdusttrS--cant shoot g~ccs from tine plaint iinto the cells iof (,ges cof a foreign plane Andc, gcincs fro oniX(i i aim lli species caX bc adclcecd tio anoi th- c'r ti gin t aximum til ene i'tcfit fromt thec two ( species. Agtricultuire is h~ighX tech! To stui xixc atnc to colntieto'n lead thle wxay fiot Alahaillas intit- hc'i ioie inidistry ancd to conttinute tto proiidce ain timpriiiig standcardc iiflix itr, fori all Alabamians, thlis hlighl tcch xoldc. Hoiwxcv'c, ti cotiuec to supportitt aill thec priigraims ini the C'uiic'c I 011 AY, thecre muttst he xiome baisic, or -iiow tech" xxork l. Thec bailanc intg act is preca riiiux, but Vial tio tile Colllege of Aricultuare's abilit to lead the stare s aiculitltur induiiistr intii thc niext Ilhc fuolluixing r epot ris a hut a sx'nopsix iif the woriik cdine in tile C ollege cof Agriculture iin 1996. Foii evcr, sutcccess story reporteci hee, thec' are dozen ol'i5 f iithc'is cqtuilx as impcsive itn the classtioomn, in resceaichl enideavors anix i a thec Coillegc's oteach fitiitialil itn Extcensionl. JKOOD FO Aurihin aim nal scientists and ag econo- iIsts5 arc helping producer s tse g1enetic selection andt other impiiroved managt~emnit pratt ices to iredutce piroduc~tionl costs andlt prov ide tse higher qutality, leanlet poik con- sumiseis deimandt and will pay for. \t 'faciultr hasve also woirked with .i Libusiness Iecet s, lenders, cotinty and state offtic ials, alnd state a nd legional dlevelopmient Igetic is to rchbuiltd lost infirastru cture anti set lie stage toi i eattitin of news prodiuction hacilities tain drnage of rhe latest tech- nology. In the last seat, 22 new swinme uinits installeti on fout farms hbotsted state protdnc- tion by :abot 60(tt,000 pigs per Yeat. Intrest is especitallsy igih in West Alahama, wxhere nsews facilitic's ini tiht planintg srage cottic prticdtce as many as 1 80),000t pigs a year for Alahamsa anti oi Astate msarkiets. \1cliii s, pr omises better profits for protc- ias, expaion of rihe sratces econsom, and hiig ei qu tal its fto iotito Alaha ma ciansoumets. IThe cjualit repntattiotn andc vailkc'tahiliis of Alahamsa beef cattle are ntiw onti h ~e upss 1g, thanks tco a programl o' tiic't hy AU atnimlal scientists, calleti Pastoire toi hail. I he prtogramr atllowss proicducers tti rta~iin tisn- rship tof small lots of calvecs sent ftit ciastomi feecintg at a tlitlxsestertl feetdloit atndc get v alt- athlc dt~a oin the calves ratres oif gaitn atiit fitnal carcass quality. Over the past three veils, tilt prtigramts has shownl these Alahamla bicfcI attle to he as healthy, grouw as well, anti prtovie cat- cass qiuality eqrtal to cattle grotwn is othcei palts tif the U.S. Its tile patst, al w~idespreadi percceptioin thlat Alahatma antd other StiutheasternI catttle werce of inletrior qcialiri has led to mlaiketitng diifficulties tilt cdiscoucnted pr ices. The Pasture to Ratil pro- gi~tsis helping overctomle thlis percepltionl, leading to enhalcecd ciesirathiliry of Alathatma ca. tIc tle am ing hbunets atntd feetdlot lownctr5. Patricipatitsg cattle produlcers, incluinlg in I1995- 96 atlmost 1001 prehreci, cotl rittetit atit junlior prodtircers, get assistanlce ftim A ill using tihe itnfotirmation gained to futer impov I huc I rcd ihealthi a idc gentseic ciualiitS. St ilic hasve heen ablce to ttse the feetilot rectordcs til post-weanling perfotrmancce tot get h ighser prices liii thiirci feecier catlsves. Anldt st m' at c ct itinu- t ing tin their i wtnt suiccessfiils, sendcing all t f thseir cals cs thr otgh cutisom finlishing. Cotn sumisets tie no lo nger quaire as enthiu- siatstic ,thtit cetting "hsigh tin the hug" hecatse tif tiht assosciatitin w5ith] plentifl hackfatt. IThis is a majtir reatsoin Alahbamta's sw ine inittry tieclinledi itn the 1980s. 5 Nows, howsscee, Aswatelsess of tile health hensefits of a loss-ftt clici has led isstts couit miters to select onshy the lctanest meat piticucts. AU reseaach is poinstinlg tile wsay trusid nsews methocds oif satistsin lthtie cdemiandt foir lcaner beef wilile att the salic' tinglc fattensinsg tiurnis ftir Alahamsa cattle prouictcers. C'tlled cowss, remsoved fitotm the ptrtdtict iii hetd cibecause of lowverecd prosdtuc- us its, acciiiit Itit athoit oite fiuirths of the is pical catttic prticdicet's intctomse. Studies itsve shsoiwni thsat feecding these cowss fiot at k~et, cats tesult its iincreased svalue. AU strtdies undsterwayt indcicate tihat use of mletahbolic tmotd- ifietrs, ssih rl leatsc growths ti hormlones, canl resuit itscn een greater gaiins ill leanl xield of fed cli cows5, wit irisicutcedi fir. Whuilie tihc exact e'steit of tile improveet in lean yield is still under analysis and its pay off value to producers will depend on particular narket conditions, this technologv seems des- tined to become a valuable alternative for cattle producers seeking higher returns and a source of higher qualir, low-fat beef for consumers. Oysters are generally safe to cat. Occasionall, however, they carry bacreria that can be dangerous, especially for susceptible individtals. In investigating this problem, Auburn scientists, working together with IDA personnel, have developed a method of growing safer oysters. Further, these oysters are preferred by mans consumers over con- ventionally-harvested ones. The iesearch ream harvested oysters in Mobile Bay and transported them about three miles offshore, stspending them in baskets from oil rigs. In the colder and saltier offshore water, the oysters ptrged themselves of harm- ful bacteria within seven to 14 days. They also developed a saltier rang that was more appeal- ing to many oyster fanciers. Oysteis are a very poptilar seafood, yet many oyster lovers have become a little less ready to indulge because of food safety con- cerns. This combination of factors makes it a safe bet that the AU oyster findings will be explored for possible commercial development. Most canola, grown as the soirce of the cooking oil that has become the preferred choice of many consumers, has tup to now been pioduced in (anada. In recent years, however, AU faculty have conducted canola variety tests and established a prodtction cen- ter in South Alabama. IThis program is demon- strating Alabama-grown canola to be quite competitive with Canadian-grown and is an excellent winter rotation crop. The program is in irs third year, with over 5,000 acres in prodiction, mostly on a con- tract basis. Especially since choices of prof itable winter rotation crops are limited, and with prices this year at $7 per bushel, this suc- cessful demonstration is likely to make canola a poprlar choice xith South Alabama faimeis looking foi alternative crops. An even more xvaliable potential to canola is prodiction of Oils for cosmetic and industrial rise through genetic engineering. This route, including piroddction of Ianare, an ingredient in better shampoos, is also being pursued at the prodiction center. Alabama consuimeirs may soon be finding even more Alabama-giown piroducts in several sections of the stpermarket. Revival of a Once-lost Alabama citrus industry is now a distinct possibility, thanks to findings of AU reseaclcheis. Satsumas, the "heavenly tangerine, were grown in large quantitics in South Alabama for local and northern markets in the early part of this cen- trry. Suiccessive deep fi-eezes in the 19 30s, howeve, killed the tres and the industy. Reseairches planied the world's laigest satsuma test orchard at the (ulf Coast Substation in 1 990, and havc found me ans of saving the trees, if not the fir, in tempelatures as lo as the teens. protection is provided by banking soil aroind the tree tirinks and mist-iiiigating to coat the trees with insulating ice in sub-freez- ing weather. Severe cold spells in the last sevei- al xinters have piovided ample ippotunities foi testing several variations of the pirotecrion system, and trees have been saved. Ireliminary resilts indicate that even fiuit may be protect- ed during brief winte temperature drops into the 2 Os, which historically aire moie typical for the (rulf (oasr. AU pouiltry scientists have developed a new test to readily evaluate anti-bacterial treat- ments ised in poultiry processing, and have gone the further step of developing methods to enhance the effectiveness of treatments to reduce oi eliminate potential pathogens. Current piltlty sanitation procedures have generally piroduced an entirely safe food prodiuct. Under some circumstances, however, iniciobes scuch as salmonella can attach them- selves to the chicken skiii in such a wax that they arc difficult to eliminate. Ihe AU "skin attachment model,"' or SAM rest, and the innoation of combining transde ma agents, such as emrilsifiers and sirfactants, with anti- bacterial or ganic acids, xork together to oxer- come this problem. IThe new approach shows iesults very promising for commercial application, xith very low concentrations of acids recluired. Researchers are refining the techniqnue, which should help the industy comply with future stringent food safety iegulations and povide cotsuittiers even greater assurance ot receixing high qiality pouiltrx' piodulcts. A microbial testing program condicted at AU's Alabama Fish Farming (Center helps the state's catfish induistry assre consumeurs of xholesomeness and high quality in the mar- Ieting if this very poprular seafood. The pilot piject, nox in irs fourth year, is funded by cooperating iioducers and pirocessors and operated by Auburn technicians. It demon- strates efficient methods of meeting and even sriipassing stringent qtality control require- ments to be enforced by new FDA regulations in 1997. [he program has been highly siccesshil, with participation by many producers and by the stare's lirgest pr ocessor, along with several smaller plants. In canrying oit the pr'oiect, AU fisheries specialists have put Alabam~is industry ahead of most other stares in getting ready for the new FDA rules. One benefit seen already has been opening of additionil market oppotr tunities with large catfish buiyers who have bad their oxn qruality assurance reqcirements. [he cooperative project will end in 1997, having siccessfuilly achieved irs purpose in preparing the industry to conduct irs own pro- gram. AU research and extension facilty xill continue to provide scientific advances and technical assistance in sipport of continued industrv expansion and assurance of plentiful supplies of top-qualiry catfish for consimers. X N UIRO M\ TulENI - appliCed to Liittiin. Ih ludILge is high Illt*itO g1 ,I anLd La All apliedL Xwith no EPA I Csti IL tuioXs. Th IlL c C espons o XiiCif ciottonl tol this XXastC appllicationT dependsLI on) sCXvCIal factors , incLludLing XXcatlcI. NI) legatiXc fcC[Cts haXve bCern founLd, hiowX r CL)And Lunder faX irabIL conditions lX IIdgCI,tCLIte ploits ouiel d ICLIL ruoX CntiollI fCertili/CLd plots byN aX much~ aX -3 pectLlt Ill addIiiIo to providing nitro~gCn firtili/ationl, tilL XXaXtCX imfprovXe the Xil by ialding oric ma L iltter anLd inivaXI ig Xil XXatCI-hilinlg LapityN. IFtrther, tr Catm))lts proi retXLialit nilg~ll iln XLLccLding 'Ca) X, XXsein L'VL't oftn comeri Ltilis LnXeded.~ Rilitsimil tof Li~tIsi LAn for I ill/L Albama'IAs leading griulIItul i inTdulstr, pouilty productionl, ,ilsi priiduslXIarg' amioOIntX o tc te iaiiXXls~l hichLlL poXLe Ciou ILXntvi- ronmena~lt LLonseqLICe if lilt d~isposed of prop- erIl'. AU faiuLllrx haX'C assisted the polti, inidLX ttX' not OnlY in proper disposal bt ITn LonviX nLt ofwXastCX into valuIable bIX-prodLuitX. Nomal birtd mtitiesC in the paist hIave mllI been~ disposed of inl pits, nowiX bianinCd by LOXvill]nmeLntal I egulations. AU agticlturlal eniners' Xan~d politrV LciniXIX haXvC asXsisted produtiCI X in mCetinlg the niCCd foii a bittet wa. NoiX, mosuit 1)f thL' 8111 tonX of noimi b1,1 iid mot- talitiCS ilcLculring CX CXr X wCCk iT) AabmaiX S1,000) pultry housecX uI L' t ILdCL inl AU- LdesignedL conlp)tetX. IThis econialA land cnironmlicntall~y safC mthoYields X t CLXAvaluable Xiil-butildinig mtrialA, lnlt Xwaste. XU' nionll-IXcoLgnli/Ced wXaste conve- XioIn pogia al) Io IinlidCs resXaAc and dem( IClon- straltion t of, cnvironcntIXalIy and l aITooiallyIX XoundlL IICs of Xpent hIOlICI litte, theC bInCII~g miatLriaI se iinXL l pIutty houses~l. Ihs I CLAnTd~ otherI by-'prodtt that Xwould othrwis C light thlL Cnironmen~~lt ilL IOLIrcailwgIX be~ing shownX to be X alualAI to faTmr Tinl X oTLitheICTs. Whalit bCtter XVay to dCal wXith XXastes cl ti r I bel C ' 1, thL L r li ng thlm bi aLk intoh produiinl of theC TmhtCTA Iia X the oigint) ACL fi-olil I IIi) XXI,) wha tiur Tien1tXt haIX CdLone XXithi tC\T IC XXaXtCXs tXed Ctem .is ai Xo il mnd- milent forl groXXwi' cottonl. ResCXCAh LIcattied outt oX'Cr XCXClvI al Xt A theC F.. Smiith ResachCII Clnter has XI)oXXn tex ti ILm)ill wXastCXXatCIrI L'eAtt lu XiLgC to l1ad itli)a faLirmni ng prac tice base fild opcr ations on gCOnI alizCd, average conditions acros)s the field. NCXw techologies, including Lonilittet i/CL corls IXarC nowX making spaLcc age prLciiXonI poibtlL' for falmers. Us~ing the nCV t(ools, Li rlHlXLS c i aluatC factors 'uth as Xi filty and moA i~ isltu I, pI llnt grlowXthl anId healIth, andI hai Xs YXielCds from pinmt to pi nt oXe aF Afield. I IcX then) can adjust opCr ationiX 'tIuchA as iriation, fertilizatioin, anLd pest LoT- trol on anI eul'lYtA pTL'cise basis for maximumii bene~fit at least cost. Atuburn sciCntists alLe illr Cnti' testinig And demionsitating prLcisioTn armng technlLquX 0n M'or gan, I AXX LnL , andL (Calhoun oun~tie LXOn aboult I1,6001 total ac IL' pAltin IllXhelat, LcornI, arid soyXbeans. ieldL mapping of these fildsI to iLIennfX prlemIl arLeas Xs AXcomptLd in 1996, and the i nX'ctiga 10 io n tinuOCX, foL uX ing on ateas XLIch aX Xatllite andlL aCi al XuiAFCllce to deteic~t pIlt stel conLititons. ITIhe prciion~ TL'voilutionl aims~l primai .1 X at mucih mO)re efficient agiricuiltu a 1 l~ rodui- tion. By pirosiding precise control to asr that no spot in any field receiv es potentially contaminating excess amounts of fet tilizer or pesticide, precision farming also promises great ensvIionm etatl benefits. Aubo in agricultural engineeliog has dev el- oped 1 and successfully demonstrated poitahie timsber bi dges foi use in fosrest hairvesting oper- atos h]le bridges i ncor p orate innos'ativ designs of glued-laminated uimber s tot- maxi- mum strength ssith economical use of materials. One deisininnov(',ationi is the ise of I sccnull bridge panels. This design enables bridges to support svery heavy logging equipment oser longer spans, while lemaining ligilt enough to be por table and easily installed and remloved. lo date, hidges designed to carty log~ truck traffic hasve been tested in lengths tip to 40 feet. In demonstration use floss by sesveral coimpanies, thec bridges contribtite to improsved efficieiicy in logginig operaitions and eniable lllggeis io as oid causing water quoalits degi ada- nion at sticam cirossings. The need to cross streams is ciommion~l in logging, and ctri ct- ed foirds and culverts often cause unacceptable adv erse wsater tquality effects. The hiridges hasvc alsto been shossn to) be cost-conlpetitise wsith tse oif foirds and culverts. IThe portable bridge designs can also be used for tempt)!aix heavy equipmlcnt crossings over light-dtits bridges on rtiral roads, thus glisin g loggel s access to otherwsise difficult to reach fleas. [he bridges may also fiod use as temporar rev cplacemenlts foi washed-otit lit deteioirated pcirmanent bridges in itiial areas. IThe Alabama Master Gardenei prolgralm greatly mtultiplies the effectiveness lof AU extenisioni efforts in horticultural anti envyiron- msental edtucaitionl. In the 15-yeai histoty of othre priogramlt, almo~st 3,000) Master ( a.ldenlers in 34 countilies hlave been certified. Tihe intenlsive traiing prolgram includes pr inciples of inte- girated pest isaniageml ent aind vegeitabile anid laisdscape gai denling. Each Miastei G .Ii tnr clommlits 10 ssai iing his oi bet lsnrtiultral expeitse as a teacher ill tile colllliiil. Mans' individuals across thse state ssho ostheirwise msighst lot hlave beein reachled noss do a bettei job of gmssing their oss ivsegetables anld bcai'is g theii osvn homle groluntds ssithl flossets, shrutbs, and trees, all ssith liisered pes- ticide impacts ion tile env5ironmleti. I he pill gram~ has also piiosen stlccessftil ini illgailing local citizenls fiii clommuntiity illpiriovemlellt. 'Somfe r ec int act!iviities inluide itsvo lvem~ent ssithi vitiig peisonis f11om1 (Calshun ( ltlS5 Coosisa al les Youiith Setsvices ill a itC ceur1! ery, a Baldssill Counits residential ssale! quialits' improvsemlent prolgram, Ma~disonl ( Itnts5 Ro(ads5i de Pidte I rojlect, a Miile ( i n t schoolil prolgraml called IlhtlllltcilW Gailcensino to youth, aind IHabiitait for Humanlitii hliome lancdscapting pilojects iln mtatny cunties. coil lIttle sii clts of millions of dllaris to tile stale's economl~ly an11d help ii 1omcer es antd businlesses mlaintain mosre beatiful suitroutnid- ings. Aubtii i facults conltribtite tile scientific knoissledge needed to make Alabamla more1 beatifl at lowsest coist and ssill) intimum imspact ontsIhe envIIioment. Just a fess recenlt advanlces iniclude I ls'i d tea rose researchlers hasve shsowsn that alternIating fungicide applicatiions ssith iho- ticulittial l colntIS rose blaikspot as sseli ot betterthni fun iigic ides alone1. Fuiiiihe!, uise lit film-forinllg aitttalspil aits call strletch nleed- edlteatment initervalMs frlom once.1 a wseek toi every two wseeks. Findings aire good nesvs for both comi) 11)1!c ial andc illoime ro st grow55ers, recducinig labor, colst, and1( chtemlicl imlpacts. C~ritical knlllclge ot huos to get[ allits wsithi Molther Nature iincluides knlowsing sshat can't be donie. Anntlti 5 inca (petrissinkle) has beenl a comml~uon and easily-mlaint~ained Alabama landscape flower, but in tihe las~t sever- atl yeats has been cievastated by a parasitic Phvtopiltisora, funguts. AU planlt pathoslolgists hasve shossn thsat no( av5ailable funigic ides loffer a pralcticail solutilul tir the s inca is oblemn. ( n thec polsitiv e side, researchers hasve shown I thlat imanss ithler selectionis, inlutdinig agel atuims begonfia, geransiumn, aind ininiia, arc Pbs to- ph thloia iesislanit and prosvide al15 economi)11cal and1. effec tti i atelrnativ e. Flowset insg doigwviod is uone o~f tile mos11t ppuliar lanldscapse beat~itis adciiss Alaiba~ma, bitl polssdet msilciews often spoils thleit loolks. Reseaichiers hsavse icdentified resistanlt cliltis ars enlablinsg comm515erciail and huome lanldscapsers to enjoy the bseauts of thleir dogwoiods ss thsoti uisinigi costlIs ani ilabuor-in tellsivec chieil s. AUl studies anid citemon1strationis showis tha~t smariitei pcst conitroll msealstues calll ill mlanys calses yield bietter conltrl of insect ptsts ill hoimle alnd cm icrllllciaii landlcscapes, 55ith di astitalls' ietduced amutls of pesticides. Bellefils inlutde nsotchI lowe co i sts and iredltced ens irii iiitssi al impsact. 111ismo Isbowls cisckroa~c hes. a1 common5511 hstome psest, sselre studied bs reseairchsers apply- iniieraed Pest Masnageisseit talctics, ni.ltd in trg i ged rather thanl .1!ea tieaitIsetsts, anti use o~f peiletized ansc gel baits. Colcki oatches wsere cittoilletd, ssithl a 90f percet iedutiions ill insecticide amounlilts, ciompiaredti 'th conlven- tionsal area treatments. Retd imp~otretd fire anit infestationis base been aidequiatels cotlled its vaioius iltnd- scape setlillgs by mlapping tinfestation~s, estab- iishillg pr'ii,!its arleas, antd apslsi ll oisiy fserimileter ireatmsents ssith bauits. A successful pilolt pi ogra int a business lansdscape setrting it'dutce~d labor anidt chlemicall conltriol costs by 90 perccent. IThe aproach is also useful for gisif cootrsces, athletic fields, and5c homse landscapes ilaigertha Il on1 ie aicre. Drieaided subterranean teirmites ill tihe pas cildt lie conltrllled oily by usinig hundreds of gallons o~f pestic idles itn soil (tcihtIes. Denxsolst 1,11111 priscts iin Alabamsa carrliedl out ill tioopetio will sith commlierciall pest cotol compl~anlies show~s thait newsdvloe Is ti's t fraictionis ot ani )unicc', canl dco tile job) as svtll or betici. Ill thret' tests, termsite actis its arotusnd strutcturt's cealse't after an aiserag' trc'atmen'lt timse of four msonlths. N E Y ,tr r v r : Iu .r ct~t a /. ,4 t . 7,.. f a ! ^h AAAlS 6i~ 1, S 't i 6I X Aided by an intensive Auburn infoi ma- tiin attc tmoinitoriing effoirt, Alabama growsers far aitd away led the entire cotton belt in tak- ing adv'antage (If a nevly-v ailable svaiety almost entirely imttuiie to cotton's cui irnt worsitt insect enems, the tobacco budwsorm. The geneticaily-enginered Br cotton, wshichi carries insecticidal properties, had been thioi- otighly tested by AU scientists for three previ- otis sears. Yhus tihe stage w'as set for its wide adolption, wsith an estimated 1996 statew',ide cotnlint v ield of 750 pounds per acre. Ibis svoiuld be the secoind highest cotton yielcd iin Alabama history. G~rowers (ised the Br cotton as part oIf an AU-recommended Integrated Pest Manage- imeint program. Tools includle rise of beneficial insects, imtited perstic ide rise, and imeasuiies to piesent desvelopmrint (If insect i esistance to controls used, iincluding tite lir saiert. A conrribiig factoi swas the piotis suiccess (If a regioit-wside boll weevil etradication pio- graim. ltIn 1996, less thatt 20) percent (If Alabama's cot ion acreage ireceived a single insecticide spras, the lowest since ss nthetic insecticides became av ailable in the I1940s. Cost sasvings statewide, evein including the fee grovers pay foi use of thce Bt techntology, toItaled an estiniated $46 rmillioni. The fauing wvay (If life cainiiot be sus- tamned unless rte farm is oprated as a sus- tainable business venture. A statewide orga- nlizatioIn and four regional F'armn Aitalssis Associjations provide the information and tools far mers need to ev aluate profitabil itsy oif the.ir fam noperationis and nmake soitind butsintess dec isionts unudr comlplrx and clain cioingrtiditions. Alabama's Fatrm Analsis Association pr ogiam bega n in 1 980, ithr first to he estab- iishrcd in the Southeast. lIn this self-suifport ing, fee basrd piogirant. AU personnel giver o1 ri-onrn man agrri al assistancer on top) of a foil package of mostly coimpttr-basrd pro0 redurrs for budgrting, enirpirise and market :uaas'is, and financial and tax planning. Most pairticipants take care of rrcordkrrping atnd bustiiess basics oin thir 0own cotmiptirs, calling on thr Auburn ti rid trpiresrntativs fr o trip wsithi more complicated piroblems. I he program allows producers to com- pre finaincial asprcts of thleir opecrationt with rs ci dr av erages fori s imil ai opera tio0ns, spo possible ptoblem aireas, and make nrrd- rd adjustments. Btisi ness decisions, aire rinhantced by complex 'sw at-i&- calcula- tions wsh ic h forecast results of possible chanirges in fiirm opietationts ot outside con- diiioins. Few Alabama fairtes ate able to cairrv our such anaivsrs on their ow',n. IThe Alabama Farm Analysis Association gives any fa rie a imu~ch bettr chance at a healthy~ aind sustainable bottoIm line. Alabama is generall a water-rich state -boit svatei isnit necrssarily pleintiful where yuhappen to be located, or doting the time ot year you hasve need for wvatr. Addiessing the problem of uineqtial gro- g1raphical ancd seasonal water distribtition is the aim of a combined reserch and exten- sion demonstration piroject in Noirth Alabama., [he $1.5 million pioject, begun in I. mestone County in I1994 in cooperation with t letitisec ,illcv Ait tlicntirvs tllsfci pumping wvater fronm a streami duriing 'cxiniet and sping when flow rares ate high and watet demand is loss. T he wcxater is stort tin a cunsti tcd resersni r fnr latrt use xxhen stream flowss are lowx and water demand is hig'h. T he rexult is an a! telrnativ e watr sup- ply sour!c that is reliable, envirunmentalx sustainable, and dines not compete sxit h otiher 'cater tuxes ur needs. lhe project is nouw in operation, with a 1 3-adre, 140) acre-foot rext! 'cul filled ftromi Li mestone C reek and in use fur cotton irri ittiun research. Such sx'ater-harvexti nc" installatiutix utter potetial nut unly for expantdetd agricultural prouction bitt for meetin cl~ irical intdtustrial and mnincipal wxater Stippix needs as Alabama continues to Recetnt Atuburn rexeatrch has shoswn Alabamla's natural resourtccx to he far mute vailale than must people imagine For example, nearly 800,000) tesidents wett fishling in 1994, adding about 52. 15 billion to the state's economyl anid stipptrttig alnmost 42,000 jobs. Over 300,000 hunters genietratetd $650) million atnd 17,000 jobs. Thits, a substaintial portioni of the poutla- tin is pat icip~atiitg itt actisitics that extract a rceewable resource atnt at thle samel time have vetry large econotmiic imtlpacts. Ptio tot tis trexcarch, little xwas known i abutt the ediitniti cs ot such uses utf nut forest and xxatr r exttutccx. T he r esearcb fintd icgs also tndtcate a signitficanlt nlet tranlsfer of intcotme 1from1 urban to r ural areas. Sinrce agricittiral 1p o- diuctitn is also cntcetntrattd ill tile at eas xxhere hltting and fitshintg arc likeix to be takitig place, efforts aimietd at lhelpinlg fatri- er5 atdopt enivirotllnmenltallsuststainalie prac- tices multst also be seentinI a newx ecutnitiiic light. Th~at is, nth on111y wxildlife atnd ftiiesc programls, hut agricutitur al xxaste mlaniage- mlenit andli pesticide treduictiiln proigramsl hase addtCd c iOIiiit 'cI .ilitc lix lltIcttcc ti' ccIt recre attinal I exuitccx. Oti abttnidanit fotest andt s'catr I esources ate tnot j ust ile latnd cit scetnic attractionls. TI lie are imlpior tant edicnomic Coltitribtttots to Alabama~ 'ceaithi. A less, AU-released 'catrlets of Ilet tlttlac'iass ix tdctiutist ati tg hu tge atdvall rages uver coaxial let tmtda, tihe nit 1 standtatrt 'caritr. Itn over xsetn yeats of textitng by Auburnl rescar ch anld extetiont tacult, RiuxselIlt ill utlagi ass has cutisistetly shown a full one-toll pet adc Yieltd atdxat- tagc ovs C o castal. Rtusxci is alsot prov'ing superior in case of establishmtlet, xxitrihat- intess, atid disease r cststanice, as ttla t Ctle to coastal. Thle tnew' forage 'catrict has tundtr- goile thirutghi ttxtitng, with usvit 15 detmont stttions estabhlishedi iii Alabatia, atnt it is cirtiIily beitig grown' on ovi(1r 8,0)0)0 addci- tionlal acres. What is thle pttttil payo tff? Thle moreti thatn 1(0,0)0)0 tural acres platitedi xo far are a smlall ftractioti of the acreacge Alabamia cattle pruiert ad tl uhet x curtetll hiave planltedl itn coastal. lit at a ty pical has' valute of S60( per- tont, tile tite-toti 5ieid it tease otn the smlall act cag'e ini ext stenlce at pllescilt is 5oritthi miire thlan half a millioni ticllat s. Nows that atit juit hla',, that's Russell be til t ilagi asY ITT N( fur Alabamliatis andt v isitors, it's a big atnd grwcxitng biusins itwx cithl somie 270) courtses miakinlg a 540 mt) illioni a yeal tipatt ont the state's ectiuiis.Il hi(gtrass retsearclh ittlil- 'cxvay at sexea cii l 5 cabamia gui I cottutsts couldt givce tile ittditsti a cotnsidlerable boost. Several vcarieticx of bet tlldagt ass beinlg text- etd lbx AU tutrfgrass specialists ate shiintg ttraits very 'cx li suitetd to gulf coutrse tise, alit may~ replace bcnltgtrass greccli, whicii art ver expensivce to tiaintaiti, iti Alabama atlt mulich of tihe Soth iast hBettitagiass rirecs tint I t caite thlan hetrass, wh'iichl is a col-limllate ',rtass nt getetaliv wcxeil atdaptedl fot Alabamla cull dliitilns. If thle curtit ittlc testetid iituda vli- cies pruse iittt it tuxe, it coud mieani fesset huic ide appi cat ionis, less fet til ivct tise andt tcmictidccus dccliii sain lgs for golf cocuttsecs. Fot examlple, ftingitcice spras s cani cost at cittit x 55~00 pet aplication anth till to Sx 10000) per 'cear. A gonlf curst-adapted bet iiutiagi ass culdi also) booust the Stats tiltfgtrass pruic- ttiitn sector', xinlce ilc ilutta is mulih ii asici to grtis in Alabamla thiant bcttntras. In aditionti to 'catrlets' tests, Atubtrn offers~t a fl r tange of for the expanudintg gulf indlitstry. if'YBI E [\N All A3AM" Auburn fishleri rxtesearchlers, xxiiiintg tog~ether 'cwithl state Marine RCSOUICCx D ivcisin scienltists, hisvc aci cect a miajoir illeakthirouiih: arti ficially' spassnitg tetd xtnaippers anid r aisting tile snlappet fry to vable sizc. In prevstus attemlpts ini Alabamia atit elsesshere, thle yi tung sna~pper coutld tnot lbe kept alive tormt r 1 th hanl a fess we eks. T he reseatrchiers achiev ed stuccess by' plating Gulf-c atught red snappcrl~ ini taniks siticked wcith 'cat tis algae anth smll crs titeanis tol recreate thle ciomplex niattiral fund clin neeldetd liy th~e tiny~ snlapper liarciluigs. Th li evecslotpmenctt olpens the wsay tio raiing tile lisl ill captivity' til a commlilercial basis. Red snlapper atectix cifishletdn trtughittheI l Worldti andt commerilccial prodttcticon otf tile fish ill caltix irs woutild xcirve ai hluge miat ket foti the ighl-salute, hligh-dtemlanit scafood species. Cnitinintg r esearch fic uses utn refiin g techiiuis fort raisinlg thle fisht. IThe disctovcix is expected alsot to help thle comtmtlercial anit recreationial fishiing ititdtstries. Riasittg thle snlapper ini captiv ity' ailliws miiarinie iotlogists toi heat muiitcht ttore ablt thle chlaratctetristics anld leeds o ut ttl sniapper, lilt aplY this knowsledge in pro-h tt w xid snlapper htabitats. U-00 J r N11 ii'nrollmnent in the College (of Agriculrtire has been grossing hv leaps and( hounds. In 1996, nearls' 84(0 students were cunrolled in the C ollege's untder grad- utate program. which represents molire than a 70 percent incirease in enrollmlenlt over the past five years. In add itionto1( stu- dlents enrolled in (College of Agiric ulture majors, many students from other col- leges and schools across cam pus take College of Agricutlttre cottrses to enhance their eduications. Students in the College also hav'e the chance to continue their education thrtoughl the College's masters andi Ph.D. prolgrams. n 1 996, more than 240 stdents were enroiled in graduate-leN el programs with in the C ollege. I he poptllarity of the C ollege s pro- granms is further illustrated by the suppor t its students r eceive from the agricultural com- mnittity and alumni. In 1996, more than $31 2,000 in scholarships, many of which ate donatted by former sttdents and ag-t dat- ed butsi nesses and industries, were award(ed{ to untde gi adltes in the Ciollege of Agiculture. Recrttinmenr of new students also is a piotritv for College of Agriculture faculty and staff. T he College's Ag Ambassadors, a group of students who setrve as hosts for the Colilege, join factilty members at recrtit- One treason for the growt h in enroll- men t in tile C ollege of Agriculture is the dix cisitx and qutalitv (of the classes and instruc tots. But another reason can he fotund ini the mentoring approach that the C oliege has taken toward its students. The Colleges factilty membhers have always taken a petrsotli interest in the stu- detnts tihey teach. Today, that spirit of sup- port continues. Eich department has devel- oped a formal advising program that is staffed hv faculty members who v olunteer lilt tihe assign merit. Adsvisors follows studets throughout their college catreer andc these relaitionships fut tush studetnts niot only with professional guidanice, hut alsoi often evolve into stirri- L_ )LLLUL t. mnlt progr ams in the state aimed at intro- duc itng igih school stutdents to the College's pr ogr ams. Thiese meetings are co-sponsor ed hy the Ag Altinuni Association, wvhich wvorks hand-in-hanitd with the factulty and staff to suippot t the College's programs. IThe C ollege also co-spons5ors a highly successful esvent each fall working wvith the states agrictultural commnodlity groups. The Ag Aluimini A\ss~ciations Faill Roundup anid T aste of Alabhama Agriculture introduces bothl potential students andi all Alabama cit- izetns to tihe conitribtitionis of Alabama agri- cuiltttre and the C ollege of Agriculture. In 1996, mite thlan 1,.000 people attended the evenlt, which inlutded fun and games. great foodin, dilin-h iomei music, antd lots of edttca- gate parents and life-long friendships. The (olleges lentoring program is so exceptional that a recent report from AU's Student Government Association cited the (ollege of Agriculture's advising program as the best on campus. And as graduation nears, the help con- tinues. The placement rate for (ollege of Agriculture graduates is more than 95 per- cent, an exceptional average compared to the lest of the university and to the nation- al average. The (ollege of Agriculttre's education- al programs ale not limited to the campus of Auhurn University or to traditional college strdents. Extension and outreach effoits help reach "students" across the stare hy pro- viding valuable information to residents, husiness people, industries, and policy mak- ers in Alahama. Extension efforts help educate Alahama's agricultural producers and home- owners ahout environmental, health, and economic issues affecting the state and its people. For example, an Extension educa tion program for non-point source pollu- tion has helped inform and train more than 6,000 residents of a single watershed about water quality issues and has helped them protect theii water supply from fiture problems. Alahamas 18,000 row crop and produce far meis use an estimated 3.6 million acres of Alahama soil to pro- duce soybeans, cotrn, grain sorghunm, wheat, peanuts, pecans, vegeta- bles, and sairious fruits. T'han ks to extension efforts in the state, a large peircentage of these farmers have adopted integrated pest management (IPIM) systems that include use of hiological control measures and other cnviion men tally-friendly forms of pest management. Ior example, 77 pcr- cent of the peanut and 68 percent of the pecan acreage in the state are now under I PM systems. This results in coSt savings to pioduccrs and a safer environment foi all Alaham ians. It also is helping Alahama producers meet fedeirally mandated I PM requiirements. Innovative rses of nev and traditional tech nology has alloved the (ollege of Agiicilture to reach students from a distance all across the state and the world. Distance education services make College of Agricilture classes available to all Alahamians literally in their homes thanks to coirespondence couirses that can he deliv- cired thirough the postal setrvice, via satellite, and over the internet. One example of this is an otrganic gar- dening class that has become extremely pop- tlar for students hoth on and off campus. The class sas first taught in 199(0 and diev some 100 students to a classioom on cam- pus. In 1996, more than 3,6(00 stidents from sithin the C ollege of Agricilture and fiom many other schools and colleges across canptis took the class. Recently, the coouirse was also taight as a video satellite confer- ence and it is now heing offered rhrough AU's Distance Education Outreach program svhete stidents can access the class material through the Worlld Wide Web or receive it through the mail. Anothet exam- ple of rsing technolo- gy and iesoirces to edicate the woirId is the infotmation cleating- houise that has been instituted to help wvith international work in I lain. [he tech nical infotr iviation ser'ice has heen arr anged thr ouigh a local library in Haiti thirough access to Auuhtrn Jnivesity's Ralph Biown DI anighon Library no address technical problems raised by collaborating institutions or individuials in Haiti. A hilingual nesslet- ter, Info-PuIs, also is pnihlished in French and English and r eports iesilts and information from a sustainable agiciltire project ilnder- way in Haiti. 7, do /o eiv there~~ ar ie dctr ' r.~ I 'he C ollege's education effoirts also reach otrside the bordters Of th'e United Staites. AU C ollege of Agricutr e facutis anti staff trasvcl to aiii cornetrs of the ssotrld to shaire theii expeirtise ssith peoples oif other wointries, thus hclping thc global corn trity obtin iinforimation to ativance thei t ctiltttrits and enhanc' their luses, In 1996, tswo professoirs in the College Of Agirictilttire receivedo F ulhrighi Scholarships that a)llowved them to share t h e ii e x p e i r is e ss it h t h e fis h e r ie s I i c it s ttin B a l a d t h u t v i d u t y n Rtissua. Mlaii othei factulty aind staiff in the C ol lege r vsel frequicn tIN aiiotind the world to sutch places as iiaiti, Latin Aineric, Asiai, ind i'uiriopt' to shat c their expertise thirotgh Unisversirt' and U. S. Agency for I nte'tnational Desvelopme'nt (USAI) ) cooperativ e programs. I he In ternautional Centr fot Acpaactilture and Aqtjaic nsvironminus (IC(AAE'), has had tremendiotis influtence tin 6 sheries aind aq uacutlture pirogram s wsotrldsside More than otne-third of the 811( studceiits ssho hase completed adsvanced degrees in fisheries (214 mas- trts aind 60) Ph.D. degrees) haise heeti from deseloping couiitries and another 250) international stidents have receiseti eithet bachelor's or nonticgree trat n iii These stiudents aic e ovicing the leadei- ship for the grossth of aqtiac ni ture in developing cutis Atuburin Universits has had extensisve expeience ptosvitiing both short- anti long-term tch nical assistane itn agri cllture to cievel- oping co(unties. Cuirrently College of Agtricuture facuity alr' insvolv ed in intcirna- tional ontr each and resear ch projects in mrainy counties wvorldwXide. In Hlaiti, C.lg aut rc wxorking wi th issues reclated to peanult pr otduction, sil minan ageminen t, and aJo)foriest'. Mnch oif the wsork rinderwsas in Haiti is aimed at pin- tecting the cotinti V natural resouircs. 1The College of Agricuilti he is coopei-ating( with U SAlI) projects theire that aire helping t he Haitian people mlaximize the pioduttcion potential of their hillside agricutltture. Fat ulty ate helping these people ptrotect thei i soil anti wsatei rcsouirces and teaching Haitian fairmcrs better ssass to cultivate thei t land. C ollege of Agiricuituire facuity also ate inv solvecc ini lea n anti cow5pca researiclh in Catmeroon. Acitacilttral inteichanges are tindtiirsas int Kenyva, H ondii trtas, Vittnam, Thailand, Brail, anti Ectiador. Animal and poutitrv science anti hoirticuiltuic facuttlr ate involvedc in projects in Vietnam, Russia, China, Mexico, Cutia, anti (taemaila. In adtdition, Atubtiin Universirs has signed acatieinic intierchainge agreements wsith motre thain 4(1 institutions in I17 cotun- tries. Fachlty' also ate making inroads into many' other cottnties swhetre they aire pid-t ing assistance wvith esveryithi ng from basic science to tmairketi ng. O)ME AGAI\ 'IOCRAMS 11 ) 1)( ' ID - I IF / i-> - ) I In 1t996, 30 neXX participants hewan a tswo-sear educational progiram th routgh the Alahama Agicultite antd Foresry Ieaders Progt am, an outrreac h progiram sttppotrted by the (College aind designed to help agricultuti al pirodutcers and agrthbisi ness people hone theit leadeirship skills. Since it hegan in 1984, the [Leacicis pro- gram has giracuateti 138 pairicipants, and those gracitates have piroven the s altie of the ptrogiatm. A ttumbei of these grattates have reachted the highest levels of leadership with- in their commtoditv antd farm organizartions. Mans moire giraditates have hecome atrise in theit local cotmimutt ties, scirsing on school boaircs, as c ity anti cotinty' officials, and in other leacdeiship positions. IThe Leatiers pro- graim is toritrihbut ing to the lfuttire of Alabatna hb' entcottaging people take knossl- edge anti expertise hack home to theii w conmmtntiics. In aidditiotn to helping Alaibamai farii becotne leadeirs in the state, the College of Agrictulture also is sworking ssith fairmers from other cotinties thrtougch it frmer exchange program. In 1996, the College o spontsored anti participated in tsso farmer exchanges ssith the Hais lland Farmers Association, a group of agrictiltirists from easteirn Geirnan. Alahaatu fatin leatders anti Collegce of Agricuiltrttit fact m ein hers Xvisi ted Gertmans antd Polantd, anti later a delegation of (Germain fartmeirs taint to Alaubamai to learn mote abotutt outt agi- cultuial system. JK III NA \I \NL-IA/\IL IFH1IIk Ih HIL IQ G i II S 11 G R To EEE $4,316,323 EEEEEEEEEE $10,215,640 HEEHE $4,645,908 ******** $7,883,829 EmE mE $5,596,047 $32,657,747 wNSTIRICT Eu.. $4,316,323 Eu..... $7,245,344 Eu. $2,970,296 $3,888,606 $757,302 $972,376 $3,199,842 $1,414,101 $2,297,510 $5,596,047 $16,422,649 $6,927,440 $1,414,101 $7,893,557 NDUSFR'Y OTH~