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market-farming - Re: market-farming "Farmer Conferences" -- Left Out Again

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Subject: Market Farming

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  • From: "Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>
  • To: "market farming" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: market-farming "Farmer Conferences" -- Left Out Again
  • Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2000 09:16:06 -0600


Unfortunately, I can't offer an argument. During the 90's, the UI developed
a fund-raising program to raise 1 billion dollars in private investment in
the university. It was wildly successful so they are continuing. So far over
$1.4 billion. What is really discouraging is how little effect it has had on
state or federal investment in agricultural research, extension or
education. And very little of that private endowment was directed toward
agriculture. Most of it was directed toward engineering, liberal arts and
sciences and commerce. Agriculture is being deprioritized all over.

Bill Shoemaker
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
Univ of Illinois - St Charles Hort Research Center



>Bill,
> In Wisconsin too, the University had disinvested in extension -
>partially because the University of Wisconsin is run more and more by
>private funds - business, corporations, rather than public funds. Yes
>there is some sustainable research (small bit) but largely the research is
>in the agribusiness. And our Governor Thompson wants Wisconsin to lead in
>the biotech field. This will push UW evermore in that direction.
>
> Our universities, media, government, etc.etc.etc.etc.etc. have been
>bought out by corporations. It will be a long haul to get them back.
>
>
> Jill






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