Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 5, 1995 TAG: 9509060104
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It's unfortunate that you fall into the trap of erroneously thinking that agriculture has declined because the fraction of the work force engaged in farming is now only about 2 percent.
Our land-grant mission to serve people through education, research and outreach doesn't change, but, obviously, how we serve changes constantly.
In addition to farming, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences serves agribusinesses involved in further processing, distributing and marketing of those raw products that farmers produce.
Agriculture and forestry combined employ one-sixth of the work force and generate one-sixth of the economic activity in Virginia and the nation. Also, inflation-adjusted value of farm products has grown 63 percent since the middle '50s, while labor used declined 89 percent and land used declined 47 percent.
Studies show that Virginia's investments of taxpayer dollars in agricultural research, extension and teaching have extremely high annualized rates of return of about 50 percent to Virginians in terms of improved competitiveness, multiplier effects, food safety and environmental quality, and an educated work force.
Cooperative Extension and Research, which in addition to our college includes parts of the Colleges of Forestry and Wildlife Resources, Veterinary Medicine and Human Resources, serves Virginians by stimulating economic development in the food and fiber system, and enhancing our quality of life through an abundant, safe and nutritious food supply.
In recent years, our research and education programs have shifted heavily to developing farming and food-processing systems that protect the environment and sustain natural resources.
While I strongly agree that our land-grant university needs to expand the ways it reaches out to Virginians with technology and business, the agricultural part remains as important, viable and essential as it has been for 100 years.
L. ANDY SWIGER
Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Virginia Tech
BLACKSBURG
When justice took a holiday
GINA Phelps' Aug. 20 letter to the editor (``The judge followed state guidelines'') appears so direct and factual that it would seem to leave no doubts in the public's mind. But I must say for me, at least, it raises more doubts.
Her letter explained so simply the strict guidelines that mandate a judge's decision, thereby eliminating prejudices imposed in sentences having to do with the death penalty.
Certainly then she or some brilliant judge (even retired) could explain a case known as the Martinsville Seven in the early '50s, when seven men went to their death in a short six-month period. They hadn't killed anyone.
Perhaps some great learned official could explain the absence in that case of the U.S. Constitution, Supreme Court rules, the Code of Virginia and so on. Were they then on vacation?
EMORY A. BURKS
ROANOKE
Maynard's the man for Bedford County
HAVING SERVED on the Bedford County Planning Commission with Doug Maynard for a number of years, and having observed his ability and desire to get the job done, I believe that he's the man to head our sheriff's department.
He's aware of and has worked on many different issues in our county. With his background in police and investigative work, as well as his service with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, I believe that he's eminently qualified to be the sheriff of Bedford County.
EDWARD C. JOHNSON
FOREST
by CNB