Center for Excellence in Education Organizes Best Science and Technology Practices in Dairy Farming in Bulgaria

Experts from Colorado State, Purdue, and American Agricultural Consultants to Provide Expertise to Bulgarian Farmers

Vienna, Virginia, January 16, 2004—The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) today announced a new initiative to advance science and technology in farming practices in Bulgaria. Under a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development and in partnership with Sts. Cyril and Methodius International Foundation, in Sofia, Bulgaria, the Center will sponsor a conference for 100 Bulgarian farmers to discuss U.S. methods and products for increasing dairy productivity.

According to Joann DiGennaro, President of the Center for Excellence in Education, this program will focus on U.S. dairy farm practices to increase milk production and to explore the feasibility of expanding beef farming in Bulgaria. The conference will take place on April 7 and 8, 2004, in Nova Zagora, Bulgaria.

Michael Tachev, Secretary General of Sts. Cyril and Methodius International Foundation, says that the most pressing needs of Bulgarian dairy farmers focus on issues in agronomy, animal physiology, agricultural-economics and veterinary science such as: artificial insemination, feeding, milking and care of dairy cattle, better seeds for yield, practical business planning, and management.

Farmers in Bulgaria will be introduced to practical and science based practices and U.S. products by Dr. Patrick Burns, of Colorado State University, Dr. Duane Flack, President, Associated Agricultural Consultants, and Dr. Michael Schutz of Purdue University. U.S. farmers who will represent the best of dairy-farming practitioners include Mr. Mark Deardroff of Indiana and Mr. Ward Zigler of West Virginia. And Dr. James Saunders from the University of Maryland will be tracking the progress of dairy farming practices in Bulgaria after the Conference.

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CONTACT:

Maite Ballestero
Vice President, Programs
Center for Excellence in Education
703-448-9062 ext 235
maite@cee.org