Writer: Jorge A. Ramirez (210) 208-9311 jaramirez@tamu.edu Contact: Susan Hughes (210) 822-4503 susan@wordwright.com SAN ANTONIO--"Some people think it is odd that the Bexar Audubon Society -- an organization dedicated to birds, other wildlife, and their habitats -- would be sponsoring a farm and range forum," says Susan Hughes, an officer of the Society. But according to Hughes, it's easy to explain:

"Texas is 97 percent privately owned. If conservationists care about habitat and wildlife, we must work with private landowners. And with urban dwellers far outnumbering rural residents, nature appreciation is providing an important opportunity to diversify income sources for landowners."

To that end, on Saturday (May 12) the Society will sponsor its Spring 2001 South Texas Farm & Range Forum, "Managing to Make a Living: Working Together to Sustain Natural Resources."

The forum will explore issues facing farmers and ranchers in today's rapidly urbanizing landscape and is designed to explore shared interests and to encourage collaborative efforts by agricultural and urban users.

The forum will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the South Central Texas Regional Training Center of the Texas Engineering Extension Service, 600 Hemisfair Plaza Way, Building 277, in San Antonio.

Topics for the forum include:

-sustaining use of wild, living resources;

-making a living on the land;

-defining sustainable agriculture;

-urban and rural watersheds -- how does water quality measure up;

-agriculture on the urban edge;

-managing rangeland for diversity; and -nature tourism - butterflies, birds, people, and other wildlife

Several Texas A&M faculty will participate at the forum, including Dr. Ronald Lacewell, Jose Peña, and Charles Stichler, who will take part in a panel titled "Defining Sustainable Agriculture."

According to Texas A&M's Sustainable Production Systems Leadership Team, sustainable agriculture is broadly defined as "including all agricultural production systems and practices which are economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially acceptable, and which contribute to a better quality of life for agricultural producers and their families and the general public."

In reference to current agricultural production systems in the United States, Peña, an economist with the Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Uvalde, noted that agricultural production has largely become a bi-modal system, one side being the traditional efficiency-driven agriculture producing large volumes of commodities at a low price.

"On the other hand," said Peña, "there are relatively small producers and part-time farmers who cater to specific market needs, such as organic/specialty markets. They are essential to meeting the needs of these niche markets."

Also on the program are ranchers and producers, including Hazel Graff of 7A Ranch in Hondo, Denny Bolton of Pure Luck Texas in Dripping Springs, Dan and Marilynn Dierschke and Stan Meador of X Bar Ranch Nature Retreat in Eldorado.

Other speakers include Dr. Bill Branan of the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch in Elgin, Ariz., Mike Quinn of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Mike McMurry of the Texas Department of Agriculture, Ellen Godwin of American Farmland Trust, and George B. Ozuna of the U.S. Geological Service Water Resources Division.

The forum, Hughes said, will help landowners learn how to diversify income sources and find common interests.

Advance registration is required. Fees for the day's activities, including breakfast, lunch, and breaks, are $35 for Audubon members and $45 for non-members.

For more information, contact Hughes at 210-822-4503 or vie e-mail at susan@wordwright.com.