As someone who has lived in subdivisions all my life, my knowledge of farming was mostly influenced by what I had seen on TV and read in books while attending school in the 1960s. So, when the opportunity to write the cover story on the CASE Farm (Center of Agricultural Study and Excellence) project came along, I was eager for the chance to learn more. And learn I did! Education has certainly progressed since my day -- especially at Irwin County High, where dedicated teachers and students -- along with community leaders -- have developed a groundbreaking program that has advanced agriculture's role in Irwin County and quite possibly across the state.

Once you have read about the CASE Farm, I think you will share with me a greater appreciation for the vital role agriculture plays in our lives. And the learning that goes on is not limited to high school students. Tours are available to school children, many of whom find themselves seeing pigs and produce for the first time in their lives. The project also serves as venue for applying new methods, such as Global Positioning System technology, to a centuries-old industry. To learn more, see "Just in CASE."

Be it agriculture or architecture, preserving something from bygone days solidifies our link to our past. After restoring more than 10 historic homes in Athens, Christy and Mike Todd faced their biggest challenge in Washington. To discover one of their successes, see "The Fitzpatrick Hotel."

Enjoy,

Victoria Scharf DeCastro
Associate Editor

ON THE COVER THIS MONTH:

Haley Gibbs is an intern at the Center of Agricultural Study and Excellence (CASE), a 25-acre farm laboratory adjacent to her high school in Irwin County. (Photo by Sonya Underwood.)