Auburn University interim President Ed Richardson has appointed a broad-based, 29-member commission to advise him on

the future direction of agriculture and associated programs at Auburn University.
     Richardson has charged the President’s

Commission on Agriculture which includes agricultural producers, agribusiness and industry representatives and environmental interests with creating a vision that will position AU to lead Alabama agriculture in the years ahead in a rapidly changing agricultural environment.
     The commission held its first meeting Dec. 1 and identified more than a dozen potential priorities for agriculture at Auburn, ranging from improving agriculture’s image and enhancing student enrollment in the College of Agriculture to increasing research on alternative energy sources and changing the name of the college to reflect its broadening mission.
     All Alabamians have a stake in the commission’s process and, as such, will have the opportunity to offer input on the plan via a Web site that will be up and running in January.
     Richardson will use the commission’s report to define the recommendations for agriculture that he will present to the AU Board of Trustees in June.
     The poultry industry is represented well with Alabama Poultry & Egg Association Director Roger Chappell, former president built to your specification
Dan Smalley and Executive Director Johnny Adams all selected as members of the commission.

By Jamie Creamer, Ag Communications, AU College of Agriculture