For Immediate Release
October 2, 2002

THOMPSON COAUTHORS TWO CHAPTERS

Greensboro, NC: Dr. Alton Thompson, dean of the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, is the coauthor of two chapters in a recently released book.

The book is entitled, “The Social Risks of Agriculture: Americans Speak Out on Food, Farming and the Environment.” The chapters in which Thompson participated were, “Public Perceptions of Government’s Role in Agriculture and Farming,” and “Agriculture’s Social Risks and Directions.”

According to Thompson, the book explores the American perception of farmers and how the general public views some agricultural issues, like the impact of agriculture on the environment.

“The general population is growing, while the number of people actively engaged in agriculture is declining,” said Thompson. “As a result, more non-farming people have input in agricultural issues than ever before, and this can result in strain between farmers and policymakers. This book examines that reality and provides a context in which both farming and non-farming populations approach issues related to agriculture.”

Prior to becoming dean in 2000, Thompson was a professor and chairperson of A&T’s Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education.

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