News Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY:

What:
Public Forum to Address Concerns about the Number of Rural Veterinarians

When:
Thursday, August 17, 6:30 p.m.

Where:
University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station
Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center
Highway 31 North
Spring Hill, TN 37174
(931) 486-2129

Details:
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, at the request of the Tennessee General Assembly House Agriculture Committee, is launching a study of Tennessee's situation with regard to rural veterinarians and to determine why their numbers are apparently declining.

As part of its analysis of the situation, and to solicit input for public policy recommendations, the UT Institute of Agriculture will conduct a series of three public forums for citizens to voice their concerns. The first forum will be in Spring Hill on August 17. Additional forums will be in Knoxville on Thursday, August 24, and in Jackson on Thursday, August 31.

Event details are online at http://agriculture.tennessee.edu/news/releases/0608-decline.htm

The format for the forums will be patterned after field hearings of governmental entities. A listening panel comprised of UT researchers conducting the study will hear presentations and may respond with questions. Presenters will be grouped in panels of three individuals and be asked to summarize their statements or keep their remarks to between 5 to 10 minutes. This will allow time for questions from the listening panel. A transcript from each forum, including all statements, will be compiled and used as part of the overall study as well as be provided to the House Agriculture Committee.

Animal-based agriculture contributes 50 percent of the state's more than $2 billion agricultural economy. Large companion animals are affected, too.

The UT Office of State Relations is helping to organize the forums. Those with questions about the forums should contact Anthony Haynes at (615) 741-8220.

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