THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 1, 1996 TAG: 9607310148
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA MCNATT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 45 lines
The Virginia Department of Agriculture has become one of the first in the nation to go onto the World Wide Web.
Department officials recognized the need for a web site several months ago, as they realized just how many Virginia farmers own and use computers, said Mary Ann Waters, with the office of communication and media relations.
``It's a whole new world out there, and it can really be of service,'' Waters said. ``Farmers . . . rely on computers for everything from what to feed their cows to what kind of prices they can get for their grain,'' she said.
Two pilot programs involving livestock-marketing information and pesticide information have gone well for at least the past nine months. By mid-July, farmers across the state could reach the department's web page at: http://www.state.va.us./vdacs/-vdacs.htm. The page currently provides a board picture of the various offices in the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and tells how department services can be of use to farmers.
``The rest is essentially a shell that will be developed over time,'' Waters said. ``We plan on expanding very quickly to get our press releases on and to highlight the ones that are real consumer issues.''
The livestock site offers comprehensive listings of livestock market prices, both national and Virginia figures. Livestock marketing opportunities, auction sales, how and where to buy and sell breeding stock are available, as are several clearinghouse newsletters for beef, sheep, swine and goats.
On the pages offered by the Office of Pesticide Services, Internet users can access information about the Pesticide Disposal Program; the certification, licensing and training of pesticide applicators; registration of pesticide products; pesticide enforcement and compliance; pesticide container recycling and the various laws and regulations applying to the use of pesticides.
Waters said that department staff members are currently preparing pages in other program areas of agriculture and consumer services. As they come on line, these pages will benefit the public by providing ready access to an expanded and up-to-date information resource.
``I think the department is a leader is getting out there,'' she said. ``We certainly are aiming to be of service because this really does fill a mandate of the current administration. They want friendly government service. We want people to be able to reach us very easily.'' by CNB