Water, economic development are key on East Texas needs list

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

May 27, 2004 -- The Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE) offices are spending time reviewing data from the Texas Community Futures Forums held in most counties earlier this year.

Each county's TCE staff conducted a forum with the intent of creating a community set agenda, or more technically, "to solicit and prioritize citizens' opinions about the most important needs and concerns" in their county.

The forums were open to the public. Those in attendence made lists in several stages, combined ideas with others, and evaluated community priorities.

Van Zandt County Extension Agent Brian Cummins feels the Futures Forum benefits citizens and county agencies.

"I personally feel the futures forum is a good way to find out what the people of a county see as critical problems in their communities. It gives them the chance to share ideas and maybe even come up with solutions to the problems. Governmental agencies can see what their constituents feel is important. This allows them to be more responsive to their needs," said Cummins.

In reviewing online data from many East Texas counties' forums, water issues and economic development were the most prevalent topics. Water concerns included water conservation and quality. Economic development involved community growth, tourism, and the creation of jobs.

Youth education, specifically drug and character education, was also a reoccuring issue at the forums. Healthcare concerns ranked high in several counties.

In Fannin, Rusk, and Hopkins counties, agriculture was a major concern. Forum members in Fannin County desired agricultural economic development to be addressed and cited a need for more agricultural diveristy within the county. Rusk County forum participants felt agricultural products were in need of better promotion. Agricultural issues in Hopkins County were centered on bringing a local farmer's market to the area, addressing dead cow disposal, and expanding arena facilities at the civic center in Sulphur Springs.

Once forums are concluded, there are various actions that counties can take to accomplish the new tasks at hand.

For example, in Van Zandt County, past forums indicated a concern for economic agribusiness development, and water needs. Since these issues were uncovered, entities in Van Zandt County have taken steps to create positive results.

To address agribusiness concerns, "Educational programs were conducted in the county or as a part of some multi-county programs that addressed production practices and marketing," Cummins said.

After programs were implemented, the county's producers were surveyed to measure the knowledge they had gained and how they had adapted.

The surveys proved that educational programs were successful. Cummins cited examples from cattle, forage, and dairy programs. "One hundred percent of the surveys indicated that they had learned the importance of giving injections (to cattle) properly and in the neck area," Cummins said. He added the county's hay producers said they were cutting for quality as opposed to quantity, and dairy producers have been observed making better utilization of forages by making haylage and silage out of surplus forage.

According to the agent, since the widespread concern over water issues was brought to light, many nursery and greenhouse industries are using drip irrigation techniques when possible and are finding better ways to recycle irrigation water.

Forum members in Panola County expressed concerns in the areas of job creation and economic development, water issues, and youth education. According to Panola County Extension Agent Margaret Caldwell, programs to address forum conclusions will take shape during the fall, after the issues have been taken to planning committees.

Futures Forums are held with the intent of discovering what citizens desire for their county. Fannin County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, Lori Reed explained, "It takes people coming together to look closely at your community and to plan for the future. It takes people working together to make these actions a reality."