Penn State Faculty Participates In Rural Development Symposium UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre) The United States differs from many European countries in its approach to planning and develop ing its rural areas. For the most part, U.S. rural policy has centered agriculture. However, for many European nations, rural policy has encompassed a broader array of social and economic concerns. This was the major conclusion reached by participants at the “Symposium on Comparative National Perceptions and Political Significance of Rural Areas” held at the Aspen Foundation’s Wye Plantation on the Chesapeake Bay. The international assembly was sponsored by the Ford Found ation, the Aspen Institute, the Eco nomic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Penn State University. Three Penn State faculty mem- ’ bers participated in the program which included experts from France, West Germany. Japan, Denmark, Great Britian and the United States. Theodore R. Alter, Big Dutchman offers the important features that make a cage system work better and last longer. associate professor of agricultural economics, served as organizer and co-chairperson for the event Stephen Smith, associate profes sor of agricultural economics, and Drew Hyman, professor of public policy and community systems, were invited participants. “The purpose of the conference was to focus on each nation’s per spectives on rural development and how these perspectives are reflected in political processes and public policies,” stated Alter. “Implications for U.S. rural deve lopment and public policy were significant topics in the discus sions, giving the U.S. participants an opportunity to view die current status of their rural areas in the light of other countries’ developments.” “European nations have tended to deal with rural development in a broader, more holistic context than has been the case in the United States. The U.S. rural poli cy has for the most part been agri cultural policy.” Hyman observed. | I | f SYCAMORE INO. PARK I LJ | 255 PLANE TREE I HERSHEY EQUIPMENT I fl I COMPANY, INC. (717)393 5807 ) S / «f QulHy Syitwii fa PwHty, Swim td OrtM Hnihg “In Europe, rural policy encom passes not only agriculture, fore stry, mining and fisheries but also other uses of rural areas including landscaping, environmental pro tection, recreation, housing, health and the entire rural infrastructure. Planning for these latter concerns is scattered throughout U.S. policy and is generally an offshoot of urban policy.” “Rural America and the natural resources from which we have traditionally derived our liveli hoods are threatened by profound changes in the structure of agricul ture, demography and develop ment,” said Alter. “In many areas of this country the decline in the number of farmers has resulted in an emerging economic structure with a reliance on more than the agricultural sector.” According to Smith, this pattern has significant consequences fra economic development. “In this country we’ve focused our efforts on the industrialization of rural areas. At the same time we know that non-manufacturing employ ment is the wave of the future,” he said. “We need to think about what we need for high-quality rur al communities and the invest ments necessary to make it happen.” On a note closer to home Alter said, “We were pleased to confirm that we at Penn State are asking the right questions and developing substantive programs in rural development.” Smith agreed, stat ing, “We have a solid core of faculty members who are focusing Chester County Plans Crops Day W. CHESTER The Chester County Cooperative Extension will hold Chester County Crops Day on Thursday, March 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the East Brandywine Fire Hall in Guthries ville. The Crops Day program includes an opportunity for pesti cide license update credits. *■<■> Route 30 Wes' . at the Centerville Exit Lancaster Farming Saturday, March 11,1989-DIS on rural development.” Hyman added, “A major strength is our interdisciplinary faculty with its emphasis on applied and policy research. The symposium high lighted the fact that rural develop ment requires a synthesis of perspectives.” Alter and Richard Long, assis tant director of the Agriculture and Rural Economy Division, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, are preparing to publish the proceed ings of the symposium. Speakers for the Crops Day meeting include John Yocum and Lynn Hoffman of Penn State’s Agronomy Department and Alan Strock and Dave Swartz, Chester County Cooperative Extension Agents. Commercial exhibitors will display the latest technology available to agronomic crop far mers in the area. There is a registration fee of $S which includes lunch. For registration information, contact the Chester County Cooperative Extension at 215-696-3500. r a FIRST WEST SHORE TOY SHOW SATURDAY, BIARCH 18. 1989 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM SHERATON WEST HOTEL HARRISBURG, PA EXIT 18A INTERSTATE 83 EXIT 18 PA TURNPIKE BUY - SELL - TRADE TRUCKS - FARM TOYS - CARS - ETC. FOR MORE INFORMATION: HERB KEEFER 717-766-8602 EVENINGS/WEEKENDS
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