UKRANIANS LOOK TO SEMO FARMERS

With all the changes taking place in the former Soviet-bloc countries since the downfall of communism and all of the expertise available on how to implement changes, it says a lot for Southeast Missouri that a group of 20 Ukrainian agriculture officials would come here to learn.

The group is ending a 10-day tour as part of a program to help them learn how to privatize an agricultural system that once was controlled by the government. Their visit was developed and conducted by the Agriculture Management Group in cooperation with Southeast Missouri State University and Lincoln University.

The group will leave the country with a wealth of information gathered from visiting farms, agribusinesses and university demonstration farms and talking with state and federal officials. They hope to apply that knowledge in getting their homeland farms, many of which are no longer working, up and running just like those in America.

It will be a difficult task, but the Ukrainians came to the right place for starters. Agriculture is a huge part of Southeast Missouri's economy because the region's farmers are among the best at what they do.