The issue:
Extension professionals throughout the country recognize they need to better define their roles -- and the roles of other agencies and organizations -- before, during, and after an animal agrosecurity event. In addition, these roles will vary from state to state, so there is a need to help agencies and organizations to fully understand the capacity to which Extension can serve in this arena.

The Events:
With support from the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) is offering three regional conferences in 2007, focusing on animal agrosecurity. EDEN intends to hold an additional three conferences in 2008, thus serving the entire continental U.S.

The Goals:
By the end of a conference, attendees will be able to describe the roles of Extension and other agencies/organizations in an animal agrosecurity event within their region.

The Objectives:
Conference attendees will be able to identify key roles and players in:

• Emergency and disaster management in an animal agrosecurity event

• Education during all phases of emergency and disaster management

• Partnership development within and across states

• Crisis communication related to an animal agrosecurity event

• State animal response team development

• Educational program and material development/delivery for an animal agrosecurity event

The Hosts:

• Midwestern Region:
  St.Louis, MO
  October 7-8, 2008

• North Central Region—Completed
  North Dakota State University -- in Fargo, ND
  June 4 - 6, 2008

• Western Region—Completed
  Colorado State University -- in Denver, CO
  May 21 & 22, 2008

• Southwest Region —Completed
  New Mexico State University -- in Las Cruces, NM
  April 3 & 4, 2007

• Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Region —Completed
  Pennsylvania State University/University of Maryland -- in Grantville, PA
  March 27 & 28, 2007

• Southeast Region —Completed
  Clemson University/North Carolina State University -- in Clemson, SC
  January 8 - 10, 2008

Who should attend:
Those who should attend include Extension professionals and individuals from state and federal agencies with a vested interest in animal agrosecurity in these regions.