DATE:    1/19/99
CONTACT: Dr. Jim Palmer, (864) 656-3519
WRITER:  Bill Baker, (864) 656-3875
 
Sustainable Agriculture Forum Set for Feb. 6
 
     CAYCE -- "Best Management Practices for South Carolina
Agriculture" will be the theme Feb. 6 when the South Carolina
Sustainable Agriculture Network holds its seventh annual
Sustainable Agriculture Forum.
     The forum, which is cosponsored by Clemson Extension, will
focus on how South Carolina farmers and consumers together can
support agriculture that is environmentally friendly, meets
consumer needs and is profitable for farmers. 
     The event will be held at the South Carolina Farm Bureau
Building, 724 Knox Abbott Drive in Cayce, across the Blossom
Street Bridge from Columbia. Registration will begin at 8:30 
a.m. The program will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 3 p.m.
     Forum events will include a 9:15 a.m. talk on "IPM and
Sustainable Agriculture Programs at Clemson University - A Plan
for the Future," by Calvin Shoulties, director of the School of
Plant, Ecological and Statistical Sciences.
     At 9:45 a.m., a panel will discuss "Best Management
Practices for Pest Management." The panel will consist of farmers
who will discuss their successes and failures in adopting pest
management BMPs. The panel moderator will be Walker Miller, an
Extension plant pathologist at Clemson University.
     Other events include a panel discussion of "Best Management
Practices for Nutrient Management" and a talk on "BMPs for
Sediment and Erosion Control."
     Certified Crop Advisor and Pesticide Applicator
Recertification credits will be offered for those who attend.
     Early registration postmarked by Jan. 29 is $15, or $20 with
1999 individual membership in the South Carolina Sustainable
Agriculture Network. Registration after Jan. 29, including the
day of the forum, is $18, or $23 with 1999 network individual
membership. Registration includes lunch and refreshments.
     Checks should be made payable to the South Carolina
Christian Action Council (SCCAC) and mailed to Sustainable
Agriculture Forum, SCCAC, P.O. Box 3248, Columbia, S.C.,
29230. The Christian Action Council provides administrative
services for the network. For more information, call Julia Sibley 
Juras at the council, (803) 786-7115, or e-mail her at
julia_sibley_juras.parti@ecunet.org.
                              END