Media Advisory

April 20, 2005

Media Advisory

Southern Illinois' diverse agricultural ventures will step into the proverbial show ring from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at the first ever Agricultural Industry Day at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Events will take place on SIUC farms at 699 Rowden Rd.

Reporters and photographers may cover all events and activities. Be sure to mark your daybooks for the 10:30 a.m. keynote talk by U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.). "Growing the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Economy of Southern Illinois" will be the subject of his talk.

From U.S. Rte. 51 South, take Pleasant Hill Rd. west and then turn south onto Rowden Road. You'll see signs for the event, just outside the SIUC Beef Cattle and Horticulture Research centers.

Equestrians, alternative energy experts, vintners, pest control experts, dieticians, foresters, farm safety professionals, landscapers, turf grass gurus, and floral designers will give free public presentations from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

For more information, call the College of Agricultural Sciences at 618/453-2469.

The college is partnering with several ag groups to sponsor the event, which it hopes will be the first of many.