It helps reduce fear when you have things to do that you, your family, and your neighbors can do together. Cities and communities are at various stages of addressing Y2K issues and assessing risks. The efforts are far enough along to provide models for working together on investigating vulnerable systems, identifying problems, and creating solutions and contingency plans. Last winter's weather alerted many people to the inadequacies of their back-up plans during extreme weather and unusual systems failures. We have the opportunity to be an important conduit for Y2K information that originates at local, state, and federal levels.
Excellent information is available for distribution.
For example, interest in food preservation and food safety topics has already increased and we are providing material appropriate to these topics. In particular, they will be interested in assessing their preparedness to deal with emergencies including Y2K, weather, and natural disasters. Contrary to the recent Wall Street Journal article, Oregon state government is on track to accomplish this mission. Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Small Business Administration and Extension personnel are preparing educational materials designed to address potential Y2K problems of agri-business and other sectors. Regional workshops provided training in remediation methods.