MEETING ON RURAL ISSUES SLATED

Property rights and farm financial and marketing strategies will highlight next month's 11th annual Rural Restoration Conference at Sikeston, Mo.

"We'll be talking about the property rights issue," said Jill Carlson of Carlson Publications in Iowa. "We'll discuss how farmers are taking of their land, how they can protect the rights to own it, and farming economics."

Jill Carlson and her husband, Jerry, are among the speakers at the conference, which will be Feb. 16 through 19 at the Best Western Coach House in Sikeston.

The Carlsons will conduct a workshop and discuss land issues on the Feb. 19 .

The Carlsons publish "Pro Farmer" and the "Landowner" newsletters.

Another speaker will be U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, a strong property rights advocate. She will address the group at noon Feb. 17 and will discuss agricultural issues.

The conference is to provide farmers with marketing and spiritual help during farming's stressful times.

Mary Myers, president of Rural Restoration Adopt, says there is something for all ages at the conference.

"All family members are treated special," said Myers. "Parents can attend workshop, and Cindie McReynolds will be on hand to lead children with music games and more."

Myers said the conference offers a chance to learn about crops and culture.

A special treat this year will be Josephus Smith, who portrays Jesus in the passion play at Eureka Springs, Ark. Josephus will give a presentation of the "Parables on the Potter" on Sunday morning.

Myers and her husband, Peter Myers, started the annual event 11 years ago, the past seven have been held at Sikeston. The first conference was held in Memphis, Tenn., and Bill Clinton, then governor of Arkansas, and Tim LaHaye, whose wife, Beverly, founded the Concerned Women For America group, were speakers. It has also been held at Kansas City, Mo., and Decatur, Ill.

Peter Myers, a former U.S. deputy secretary of agriculture, is a state representative for the 160th District.

Until two years ago, the conference started on a Sunday, said Myers. It started on a Saturday last year, and starts on Friday evening this year.

A number of other speakers have been lined up for the event. They include John Stormer, St. Louis, author of "None Dare Call it Reason," and "None Dare Call it Education." Stormer will speak at 7 p.m. Feb. 16.

Other speakers are Dick Wheeler of WJLY Radio, who will moderate a panel of experts the morning of Feb. 17. On the panel will be Joe Miller, livestock policy specialist and legal analyst for the American Farm Bureau Federation; Julie Smithson, defender and co-founder of the Stewards of Darby from Ohio; and Stormer.

Tim Gilmore, Jay Phoenicle and Donna Taylor will present workshops on finances, wills and trusts; Court and Sandy Wood of Virginia; Patti Blount; Jane Cernek and others will present ministry workshops during the conference. Also involved will be Frank Worthington, who will provide ministry programs and music.