You are invited to attend the 2000 J. W. Fanning Lecture on Tuesday, November 14, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. in the Mahler Auditorium, Georgia Center for Continuing Education, Athens, Georgia. This year's Lecture is entitled "Water Resource Management: A Critical Issue for Farmers and Rural Communities in the 21^st Century. The Lecture's focus is on economic and environmental issues related to water resource management.

The speaker, Dr. Virgil Norton, is the manager of the Upper Republican Natural Resources District in southwest Nebraska. Dr. Norton develops and oversees public policy research and prepares testimony for presentation to the Nebraska legislature. The District has instituted a moratorium on new wells, water use allocations, and a water-banking rule that adopts water marketing as a management tool. The District is participating as a "Friend of the Court" in a US Supreme Court lawsuit by Kansas against Nebraska and Colorado over water use in the Republican River Basin. Harold F. Reheis and Murray Campbell will respond to the Lecture.

The Lecture is sponsored by the Agricultural Economics Association of Georgia and the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics to honor the late J.W. Fanning. Refreshments will be available preceding the Lecture at 10:30 a.m. Immediately following the lecture, you are invited to attend a luncheon which will be held in the Savannah Room Atrium of the Georgia Center. There is a $25 registration fee for those attending the luncheon. Please call 706-542-3705 if you are planning to attend the Fanning Lecture and luncheon no later than November 3, 2000. A copy of the registration form for the Lecture is included in this newsletter.

Dr. Keeler Joins Staff of the President's Council of Economic Advisors: Andy Keeler, Associate Professor in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department has been appointed to serve a 12-month tour of duty with the Council of Economic Advisors in Washington, D.C. This is a singular honor and we extend congratulations and best wishes to Andy and his family.

Dr. Chen Named Chairman for Taiwan's Council of Agriculture: Dr. Hsi-Huang Chen, who was the first Ph.D. graduate from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department, has been named to Taiwan's top government post in agriculture. Dr. Chen, who was a student of Dr. E. Evan Brown, graduated fro UGA in 1974. A new government came into office in Taiwan on May 20, 2000 with Dr. Chen heading up the Council of Agriculture. The position which Dr. Chen holds, the Chairman of the Council of Agriculture, would be the same position as Minister of Agriculture in other countries. He is truly an outstanding alumnus of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department and the University of Georgia.

Dr. McKissick Named to State Board: Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor, who serves as Chair of the Georgia Rural Development Council, invited John McKissick to join the Technical Advisory Committee of the Rural Development Council. Dr. McKissick is Professor in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department and Coordinator of the Center of Agribusiness and Economic Development. Congratulations on this important assignment.

Dr. Shulstad Appointed Assistant Dean: Bob Shulstad, Professor in the Agricultural and Appplied Economics Department, has accepted the position of Assistant Dean for Research, pending approval of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. He assumed the new duties on September 1, 2000. Bob will also continue his duties as Coordinator of the Office of Environmental Sciences. We look forward to Bob serving the CAES in this new capacity.

Dr. Lohr Named Secretary-Treasurer: Luanne Lohr was elected secretary-treasurer of the American Agricultural Economics Association's Food and Agricultural Marketing Policy Section at the AAEA annual meetings in Tampa July 30 - August 2, 2000. Dr. Lohr is Associate Professor in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department.

AAE Faculty in Leadership Education: Jim Epperson and Bill Thomas have been named as participants in the ESCOP/ACOP Leadership Development program. The first phase of the leadership program was in Indianapolis, Indiana September 9-14. Phase II of the program will be completed on campus during the next nine months and will be followed by Phase III, which will be held in Washington in June 2001. This is an excellent program that provides a means for individuals to improve their leadership skills and to enable them to be more effective members of our faculty.

Membership in the Agricultural Economics Association of Georgia (AEAG) can benefit you. The Association helps increase awareness of emerging economic issues.

Each AEAG member receives the Agribusiness Journal, which provides a forum for presentation of economic ideas related to agriculture, agribusiness and related activities. Its major objective is to broaden our understanding of the agribusiness production, processing, fabrication, and distribution system.

The Association sponsors the J. W. Fanning Lecture which features national and international leaders in all areas of agricultural economics. In the 2000 Lecture we will look forward to the challenges and opportunities for water that lie ahead in the new millennium.

In addition, AEAG has a strong relationship with Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Georgia. Distinguished leaders are brought to campus through the J. W. Fanning Lecture and other activities of the Association. The various activities of the Association provide opportunities for interaction among AEAG members, faculty, students, and the general public on important economic issues. AEAG supports undergraduate scholarships and other educational activities.

Your membership application/renewal form is included in the newsletter. Annual dues for 2001 are $25. Please return your payment this month. Your continued support is needed and much appreciated.

International Conference on Fruit and Vegetable Quality: The Griffin Campus served as host for an international multi-disciplinary conference on an Integrated View of Fruit and Vegetable Quality May 2 - 4, 2000. This conference was designed to improve understanding and to identify emerging issues that may have an impact on the industry, as well as the science of fruit and vegetable quality. Participants were from many parts of the U.S., as well as Europe. The outstanding program began with a general session on Monday in which Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin served as the keynote speaker, followed by an industry panel. The remainder of the program included presentations, tours and final wrap-up of presentations on Wednesday. Wojciech Florkowski provided excellent leadership in ensuring the success of this undertaking. Special thanks to the Agricultural and Applied Economics staff in Griffin, as well as many others, who contributed to the success of this conference.

National Symposium of the Future of American Agriculture: U.S. agriculture is facing perhaps its biggest revolution since industrialization, said experts at the National Symposium on the Future of Agriculture held onAugust 10-11, 2000 in Athens. At the symposium, more than 200 producers, processors, policy makers, researchers and educators from 17 states heard that producers will need to change the way they do business. The demand for uniform, high quality specialty products will require a consistent production process across all suppliers. Production will be consolidated either through the actions of producers, suppliers, processors, distributors or retailers. Producer alliances will be essential if producers are to secure a greater return on their investment. Agriculture will emerge as a much greater contributor to the economic and environmental well being of the nation and the world. Technological changes will be one of the major drivers changing the structure of agriculture. Cloning, genomics, transformation and spatial technologies will change agriculture from producing commodities to differentiated products, pharmaceuticals, nutriceuticals, and raw materials for industrial manufacturing and energy. Distinguished agricultural economists Michael Boehje, Marc Johnson, Luther Tweeten and Nicholas Kalaitzandonakes were among the many outstanding speakers. The symposium concluded with a U.S. House of Representatives field hearing chaired by Representative Saxby Chambliss, a member of the House Agriculture Committee. Special thanks to Ivery Clifton, Bob Shulstad, Fred White and the national planning committee for an excellent symposium.

Many of our alumni may not know about the opportunities the Department offers for advanced degrees. At the masters degree level, we offer three degree options: Master of Science in Agricultural Economics, Master of Science in Environmental Economics, and Master of Agricultural Economics (professional, non-thesis option). The department also offers a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics. At the Ph.D. and Masters levels, students can concentrate their studies in a broad range of specialties including marketing, production, consumer demand, international trade, natural resource management, environmental policy, and rural development.

For qualified students, the department offers financial assistance through graduate research assistantships. These assistantships provide opportunities for students to gain valuable research and work experience by working with faculty supervisors and mentors on research projects 14 hours per week. In return, students receive a tuition waiver and are paid a stipend of $11,688 per year for M.S. students and $12,456 for Ph.D. students.

For more information on our graduate program, see the departmental web page at www.agecon.uga.edu or contact our Graduate Coordinator, Dr. John Bergstrom at 706-542-0749 or jbergstrom@agecon.uga.edu.

Lanfranco Wins National Thesis Award: Bruno Lanfranco, who is a Ph.D. student in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department, won the 2000 Food Distribution Research Society Applebaum Outstanding M.S. Thesis Award. He presented his thesis work during the Award luncheon at the FDRS conference in Roanoke, Virginia on Oct. 16, 2000.

Dr. Brannen Receives Award of Excellence: Dr. Stephen J. Brannen, Professor Emeritus and Chairman Emeritus of the Agricultural Economics Division, received the 2000 Agricultural Alumni Association Award of Excellence at the awards banquet on September 22, 2000. During an exceptional career, he authored numerous agricultural economics publications, conducted many extension programs, participated in various conferences and, most notably, provided leadership for the Agricultural Economics Division at the University of Georgia from 1961 until 1987 when he retired from the University. He served as a consultant/adviser to numerous government agencies and non-government organizations. Dr. Brannen also served on the Editorial Advisory Committee of the Agricultural Policy Review and on the Governor's Agricultural Advisory Committee for the Coastal Plains Regional Commission. Dr. Brannen received the Agricultural Economics Outstanding Teacher and Distinguished Service Awards and the UGA Distinguished and Enduring Service Awards. Congratulations to Dr. Brannen and his family for the well deserved Award of Excellence.

Dr. Clifton Honored at Diversity Celebration: The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences held its inaugural Celebration of Diversity on the Athens Campus February 21, 2000. The festivities included a breakfast forum, reception, lecture, entertainment, and luncheon. Claud D. Evans gave an inspiring lecture entitled, "The Uncommon Man," which stressed the importance of striving for success, opportunities, and responsibilities provided by education. Ivery Clifton, Associate Dean, was presented an award for his dedicated and distinguished service to the College. Dr. Clifton is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

Ms Spruill Named FFA Officer: Carol Spruill, a sophomore in Agricultural and Applied Economics, was recently elected National Vice President of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Southern Region. She will meet with government, education, business and agriculture leaders as well as with other FFA members across the United States to conduct workshops, talks and conferences.

Undergraduate Awards Banquet: The 1999-2000 Undergraduate Awards Banquet, which was held at Jennings Mill Country Club, recognized outstanding contributions of students, staff and faculty.

Outstanding Undergraduate Student - Hillary Smith - Hillary served as National FFA President during 1997-98.
Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty Member - Forrest Stegelin
Outstanding Public Service Award - Jo Anne Norris

Graduate Student Awards Ceremony: At the Department Graduate Student Recognition and Appreciation Reception on May 2, 2000, the Department honored and thanked our graduate students for their academic accomplishments and professional contributions. At the reception, the following 1999-2000 awards were announced and presented:

Rod Ziemer Outstanding PhD Paper - Irfan Tareen
Rod Ziemer Outstanding Masters Paper - Bruno Lanfranco
Outstanding Ph.D. Student - Irfan Tareen
Outstanding Masters Student - Marie Nanette Nelson
Outstanding Graduate Faculty - John Bergstrom and Michael Wetzstein

Mr. Costa Inducted into Honor Society: Ecio Costa, a Ph.D. student in Agricultural and Applied Economics was inducted into the Tau Chapter of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars at their Spring Induction Ceremony on April 18, 2000.

In an effort to strengthen departmental partnerships with other institutions, three new adjunct faculty have been appointed in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department.

Renata Elad has been appointed as an Adjunct Assistant Professor. Dr. Elad is an Assistant Professor at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in Tifton, Georgia.

Marshall Lamb, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) National Peanut Research Laboratory in Dawson, Georgia, has been appointed as an Adjunct Senior Research Scientist in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department.

Jimmy Bramblett has been appointed as an Adjunct Assistant Research Scientist. He is a Water Resources Specialist employed by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA/NRCS) and located in Athens, Georgia.

Scholars from around the world are coming to Georgia to work with the distinguished faculty in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department. Dr. Abdul H. Miyan, Principal Scientific Officer and Head of the Economics and Marketing Research Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh and Dr. Shoichi Tashiro, Associate Professor, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan are Visiting Scholars in the Department during the period June 2000-June 2001.

Jeffrey Mullen is a new Assistant Professor in the area of agricultural production and environmental interface in Athens.

Nathan Smith, who is a new Assistant Professor in field crop economics emphasizing peanuts, is located in Tifton.

Teresa Byrd was promoted to Administrative Secretary for the Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development in Athens.

Jo Anne Norris was promoted to Degree Program Assistant in Athens, replacing Mona Korom who took another position with the Office of Human Resources.

Chris Peters was promoted to Information Analyst I, replacing Caryl Buffa who left the University after the birth of her second child.

Chris Ferland is a new Research Coordinator II for the Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development in Athens.

Awatif Eljack is a new Senior Secretary in Athens.

Christy Porterfield is a new Senior Secretary in Athens.

Stephanie Crowe is the new Account I in Athens, replacing Kim Waters who promoted to Accountant II in the CAES Business Office.

Camilo Sarmiento, Ph.D. University of Maryland, is a new Post Doctoral Associate in Griffin.

Jeff Teasley left the Department to head up a new group providing network services to UGA dorms.

Charles Perry retired as Superintendent of the Southeast Georgia Branch Experiment Station on March 1, 2000. Charles served in this capacity for 22 years. His academic home was in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Department. We wish him a great retirement.

The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics is interested in hearing from our alumni. Please inform us of your current job position or other significant accomplishments. This information can be sent by e-mail to the following address: AAECON@AGECON.UGA.EDU or mailed to the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Rm. 301 Conner Hall, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7509.

Joseph Purcell, Retired Department Head, Agricultural Economics Department, Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station, Griffin, Georgia and Professor Emeritus passed away on January 13, 2000.

Julian Raburn, Retired Extension Economist, Professor Emeritus, and former County Extension Agent passed away on April 9, 2000.