UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Farmers and other agricultural producers can provide input on biosecurity issues on the farm by participating in a Web-based survey this fall.

With a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, The Extension Disaster Education Network -- a coalition of extension educators at land grant universities across the country -- will survey producers to identify what types of educational programs should be offered on agricultural security. The focus will be on determining the level of threat to producers.

Jack Watson, assistant director and state program leader for Penn State Cooperative Extension, explains that the producer survey will help extension staff in every state to develop educational programs and materials for producers.

"Since September 11, the news media have done a credible job of providing information about homeland security," he says. "But often that information raises questions and debate that can be addressed only with educational programs. Experts disagree about whether or not farming and the food supply are at risk of bioterrorism. This survey gives agricultural producers an opportunity to contribute to society's discussion of those issues and to help minimize the risks we face."

To take the survey, producers can visit the EDEN Web site at http://www.agctr.lsu.edu/eden, click on "Homeland Security Surveys," and choose "Survey of Agricultural and Horticultural Producers." The survey is anonymous and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. It can be taken anywhere producers have access to the Web, including libraries and extension offices, and will be available through November 2002.

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EDITORS: Contact Jack Watson at 814-863-6114 or at JackWatson@psu.edu (e-mail).

Contact: Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-863-9877 fax #261