Farms, businesses, families and communities develop and disintegrate around us everyday. Can anything be sustainable? Is there anything that Extension and our partners can do to enhance the sustainability of these sacred institutions?

The answer is Yes! Yes! Yes! to both questions. There is strong evidence that education, technical assistance and financial help can make a critical difference.

But sustainable development doesn't just happen. The Extension System in the Southern Region has a wealth of resources, experiences and successes that can build sustainability into our institutions — farms, businesses, families and communities — ones that last.

The Kentucky/Tennessee Institute for Sustainable Development is a three part educational experience for Extension professionals and their partners. The classroom experiences are based on two parts: April 13-15, 2004 and October 19-21, 2004 at the Paris Landing State Park in Buchanon, Tennessee. The third part will consist of developing educational programming opportunities in local communities. A regional faculty including Extension agents, specialists and researchers will "coach" the learning process with many hands-on experiences.

The Kentucky/Tennessee Institute for Sustainable Development can have a positive impact on the rest of your career! Appropriate continuing education units or graduate college credit can be earned.