University of Minnesota Extension Educators from all parts of Minnesota convened recently to develop programs to respond to the challenges facing rural families and communities. Several University of Minnesota, Crookston faculty and staff participated, according to Barbara J Muesing, UMC director of Outreach.

Jerry Nagel, president of the Red River Trade Corridor, provided a key-note address on Career Opportunities for farm men and women. Don Cavalier, director of Career Services at UMC, demonstrated a new computer program that establishes a virtual job fair on the internet.

Lane Loeslie, UMC student and FarmWrap coordinator, told the story of his own transition from full-time farmer to student. Carolyn Weber, UMC student and Extension Farm Safety Outreach coordinator, assisted with a Farm Alarm theatrical performance that uses theater to teach lessons about farm stress and safety.

Also participating from the Crookston Campus were Extension District Director Deb Zak, Extension Program Leader Russ Severson, and Polk County Extension Educator Barbara Oseth.

The Rural Options Conference was sponsored by the University of Minnesota Extension Service as a staff training for Educators working with farm families who are experiencing the effects of the farm crisis. In the Red River Valley the crisis is largely associated with crop production. Plummeting hog prices have posed similar challenges for farmers in Southern Minnesota.

"Extension is responding to the crisis by providing professional development for Extension staff," says Muesing. "Managing change, risk management, business planning, and career exploration were among the topics presented at the Conference."