SIKESTON -- "How to Lose Your Farm in Ten Easy Lessons and Cope With It!"

Robert "Bob" Hitt Neill, a former Mississippi farmer, will touch on a serious topic in a humorous way here next weekend during the 10th annual Rural Restoration Conference, to be held at the Best Western Coach House.

Neill, now a Lexington, Miss., author and account executive for a television station in Greenville, has experienced the same situation that some farmers find themselves facing today.

Neill, who has published nine books numerous magazine articles and a syndicated weekly newspaper column, is a professional storyteller and will be keynote speaker Saturday, the first day of the three-day Rural Restoration Conference.

Neill will address dealing with his creditors as well as how his family coped with life after farming during the Saturday noon ceremony of the conference.

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson will be keynote speaker Monday at 8:30 a.m. and participate in a question-and-answer session on issues pertaining to farming and problems related to agriculture.

This marks the 10th year for the conference and sixth year at Sikeston.

"Area farmers are invited to attend the conference," said Mary Myers, director of ADOPT Ministry, and a coordinator of the annual event. "All seminars at the conference, the general assembly meetings and workshops are free. There is a nominal charge for meals.

"We've had a lot of response form Southern Illinois farmers this year,' said Myers.

Myers and her husband, Peter Myers, started the annual event a decade ago. The first conference was held in Memphis, Tenn. President Bill Clinton, then governor of Arkansas, and Tim LaHaye, whose wife, Beverly, founded the Concerned Women For America group, were keynote speakers at the first conference. It has also been held at Kansas City, Mo., and Decatur, Ill.

Peter Myers, a former U.S. deputy secretary of agriculture, currently serves as president of Adopt A Farm Family of America, a sponsor of the conference Myers is currently serving as Missouri State Representative for the 160th District.

Until 1999, the conference started on a Sunday, said Myers. The Saturday start allows more farmer to attend, she said.

The purpose of the conference is to provide farmers with marketing and spiritual help. Workshops provide marketing information, economic outlooks for agriculture and other planning for farmers.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Saturday

9 a.m. -- Registration.

9:30 a.m. -- Welcome by Peter Myers, and opening session featuring speaker J. Christy Barton on topic of "Trust & Estate Planning."

Noon -- Lunch buffet, welcome by the Rev. Larry Davis, RRC 2000 chairman.

1:15 p.m. -- Speaker Bob Neill, on "How to Lose Your Farm in 10 Easy Lessons and Cope With It."

2:15-3:15 p.m. -- Workshops: Options & Market Outlook, by Jay Phenicie; Rural Crisis, Bob Neill; Marriage Seminar, Dr. Keith Roach and Barbara Diebold; and Food Circles, Ruth Ann Parrott.

3:30-4:30 p.m. -- Workshops repeated.

4:45-5:45 p.m. -- Breaking the Generational Cycle, by Ida Hurley; Summation of Marriage Seminar and Private Counseling, Roach and Terry; Food Circles, by Parrott.

6 p.m. -- Dinner buffet,

7 p.m. -- Fellowship and music, message by the Rev. Nick Robertson.

Sunday

7:30 a.m. -- Prayer session.

8:30 a.m. -- Breakfast buffet.

10:30 a.m. -- Service at Tanner Street Church of God, with the Rev. Carl Addision, pastor & ADOPT chaplain, and the Salvation Safari Bell Choir. Music by Terry, Tina Scott and Harold Myrack. Message by Richard Wheeler.

12:30 p.m. -- Lunch buffet.

2 to 3 p.m. -- Rural Restoration and ADOPT annual meeting.

3 to 4:30 -- Rural Restoration and ADOPT board meeting.

4:45 p.m. -- Light lunch.

6 p.m. -- Service at Trinity Gospel Church, with the Rev. Larry Davis.

8:30 p.m. -- Fellowship and dessert at hotel.

Monday

6:15 a.m. -- Prayer session.

7:15 a.m. -- Breakfast buffet.

8:30 a.m. -- Rep. Emerson address, followed by question and answer session.

9:30 a.m. -- Jewelry demonstration, Jane Cook; water quality problems and solutions, Joe Miller; Conservation Reserve, Elmer Counce; "The Harvest," by Patti Blount.

11 a.m. -- Jewelry Demonstration, Cook; Farm Program Economics, by John Hoseman; "The Harvest," by Blount; and Value Added Agriculture, by Van Ayres.

Noon -- Check out of hotel.

12:30 -- Dinner buffet and speaker Jim Schwaninger.

1:15 p.m. -- John Hosemann.

3 p.m. -- RR ADOPT, on topic, "People, Food, Land In the 21st Century."

6 p.m. -- Farewell dinner and fellowship.