CONFERENCE LOOKS AT WAYS TO INCREASE URBAN ARDENING, PROTECT FAMILY FARMS

Alternative enterprises, money-making crops, marketing strategies and other practical ideas for small farms are among topics being discussed at the Urban Gardening and Small Farms Family Programs Conference at the Holiday Inn Convention Center and Victorian Inn this week.

"Innovative ways to increase family income and deal with family issues are the primary emphasis of the conference," said Edward Taylor of Lincoln University, program leader of the conference.

"We usually expect 45 to 60 people at these annual conferences," said Taylor. "But we may have from 75 to 90 during this year's sessions because of the inclement weather that is keeping farmers out of the fields."

The two-day session started at noon Thursday in the convention center and will resume at 8 a.m. today in the Victorian Inn's Jackson room.

"This is the first time the conference is being held in the immediate Southeast Missouri area," said Taylor. "We usually hold it at Jefferson City."

Taylor said Extension programs are offered through the University of Missouri-Columbia and Lincoln University. Lincoln is conducting the conference this week, he said.

"Each year we invite various Extension leaders and instructors to meet with farmers who participate in Extension programs," said Taylor. "We discuss a number of topics and then hold question-and-answer sessions."

The first topic on today's schedule concerns alternative incomes.

"This could include alternative crops such as certain herbs and plants, flowers, and, or, the raising of chickens, rabbits or some other small livestock," said Taylor. "We'll also be looking at environmental issues that will affect farmers."

Speakers for the alternative portion of the conference will be Brenda Dykes of the Missouri Alternative Center; Sam Huey, small-farm educational assistant, and Ray Evans, Missouri Department of Conservation.

The final program, at 1:30 p.m., which will be conducted by Taylor, concerns program projects for urban-garden and small-farm families.

"We'll talk about projects which can add income to the family," said Taylor. "Some families look to arts and crafts as a means to increase the family income."

Barbara Ross, director of the Office of Social Concerns in Jefferson City, was speaker for Thursday's opening session, She discussed problems of families on small farms and touched on topics such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and other trade talks that affect American farmers.