The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center and the Southern University Law Center (SULC) are combining its resources to sponsor the second conference for 1890 agricultural professionals focusing on agricultural legal issues. The conference is enlightening, informative, and designed to educate and expand the awareness of 1890 and other agricultural professionals of legal risks affecting them. This year's conference places special emphasis on female agricultural producers.

Legal issues often impact the operations of African American and other small and limited resource farmers and ranchers. For more than 100 years, 1890 Land Grant colleges and universities have served the needs of African American and other small and limited resource farmers and ranchers who have long been a part of the American landscape. They are a traditional part of the American Dream, because operating a farm or ranch symbolizes freedom and prosperity. The prospect of owning land, cultivating it, and using it to provide for basic needs is one of the fundamental components of this "dream." For African American and other small and limited resource farmers and ranchers, ownership of property and the ability to be producers can be a great source of wealth, economic stability, social and emotional well-being, as well as civic and political participation. Yet, the number of African American and other small and limited resource farmers and ranchers is steadily declining. Agricultural professionals can play a significant role in helping to stem the tide of decline created in many instances by unresolved legal issues.

The SU Ag Center is the only entity at an 1890 land-grant institution devoted solely to agricultural research and extension designed to provide technical assistance to agricultural producers. SULC is the only American Bar Association-accredited law school at an 1890 land-grant university. Since 1947, SULC has provided theoretical and practical legal education to students. It also has a long history of providing legal education and outreach to under served rural and urban communities in Louisiana. SULC has produced law school graduates who have gone on to pursue careers in agricultural law. We hope that this conference will enhance the ability of 1890 agricultural professionals to meet the risk management needs of the under served populations that 1890 institutions have traditionally served. We invite all 1890 and other agricultural professionals to join us July 25 - 26, 2006, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on the beautiful and scenic Southern University campus.

Enclosed you will find copies of a flyer announcing the conference and a conference registration form. Please feel free to copy the registration form as needed. The conference will be limited to the first 100 participants.

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For more information, contact your Southern University Ag Center parish agent or visit www.suagcenter.com.

Contact:
Southern University Ag Center Assistant Specialist - Agriculture, Dawn Mellion-Patin, Ph.D., at (225) 771-2242 ext. 201 or dawn_mellionpatin@suagcenter.com