PUBLIC INFORMATION - Janet Chr istensen 



Communicating to the public the most current facts concerning the agricultural 

 situation in Massachusetts and related activities of the Department is the major 

 goal of this program. 



As the most efficient means of reaching the largest number of people is through 

 the mass media, the important events and issues are explained in press releases 

 for distribution to newspapers, radio and TV stations and various trade publications. 



The public information officer assists representatives of the press on any 

 inquiries concerning Department activities or food and agricultural topics, referring 

 calls to subject matter specialists in the Department or other agencies when necessary. 



The protection of farmland in Massachusetts is of great concern to those 

 involved with agriculture, and this issue and the goals of the Agricultural Preser- 

 vation Restriction Program must be brought to the public's attention. 



Efforts to encourage related interviews and stories in the print and broadcast 

 media have been well received. 



Informing the public about Massachusetts grown crops and their availability 

 is another key assignment. The series of leaflets on the nutrition and use of 

 various local vegetables and fruits which was developed over the past few years 

 has gained wider distribution through cooperation with the New England Vegetable 

 Growers Association. 



Publicity concerning farmers markets has added considerable emphasis to the 

 entire "Massachusetts grown" campaign. With the assistance of student interns, a 

 list of market locations, times and dates is compiled each year and a concerted 

 effort is made to advise ti.e public. The public information officer serves on the 

 Board of the Massachusetts Federation of Farmers and Gardeners Markets. 



She also prepared food demonstrations on local crops for the Sharon King 

 Program on WBZ-TV as well as the Massachusetts New England Hotel, Motel and 

 Restaurant Show. 



Mutual interests and goals of public information officials in the Northeast 

 and the U.S. were furthered through meetings of their regional and national 

 associations. This year the Public Information Officer served as President of the 

 Communication Officers of State Departments of Agriculture. 



The TV public service announcements featuring Commissioner Winthrop promoting 

 the summer harvest of Massachusetts grown crops were again distributed and used 

 by TV stations across the state. 



The Public Information Officer also promoted the observance of American 

 Agriculture Day on March 19, 1981 and informed the press about the two significant 

 events planned — the Direct Wholesaling Seminar at the State house and the 

 signing by Governor King of an Executive Order to protect state owned agricultural 

 lands. 



Other current topics covered in press releases and brochures concerned 

 animal health, community gardens and insect nuisance and plant pest problems 

 such as the gypsy moth and the Mediterranean fruit fly„ 



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