Conservation on the Ground –
Wiregrass RC&D Hosts 4th Annual Tri-State Farmer’s Forum
by Richard Collier, Wiregrass RC&D Coordinator, Ozark, AL
On January 28, 2006, approximately 65 farmers
from Alabama, Georgia, and Florida gathered to
participate in the 4th annual Tri-State Farmer’s
Forum. The event took place at the Houston
County Farm Center in Dothan, Alabama.
The Wiregrass Resource Conservation and
Development (RC&D) Council sponsored the
meeting. The forum began as an attempt to inform
minority/limited resource farmers about USDA
conservation programs. The idea originated with
Houston County farmer Thomas Turner. Mr.
Turner has installed numerous best management
practices on his farm with cost-share assistance of
USDA programs. He wanted to provide an
opportunity for minority/limited resource farmers to
come together, talk about their needs, and perhaps
identify government programs that would help
producers accomplish their goals. What started out as a forum to transmit information about federal programs
has expanded to include information about state agencies programs as well.
Andrew Williams (center), NRCS Outreach Coordinator shares
information with meeting participants.
The agenda included a broad spectrum of information. Willie Pittman, NRCS Outreach Program Manager,
Washington DC, was on hand to moderate the meeting and share information. Other participants included:
• Welcome – Jerry Armstrong – Farm Service Agency (FSA) CED, Houston County
• Randy Johnson – FSA Houston County – discussed farm loans and youth loans
• Andrew Williams – NRCS Outreach Liaison, Auburn, AL – discussed pasture poultry and woodland
grazing for small ruminants
• Angela Hurst – Alabama Department of Ag and Industries – discussed programs and opportunities for
assistance available through her agency
• Miles Robinson – Tuskegee University – discussed programs and opportunities for assistance available
through Tuskegee
• Willie Durr – Alabama Cooperative Extension System (A