Commentary: some considerations in the conduct of agricultural research

In the stated objectives of this conference on Cotton and Grain Dusts, I note you will make recommendations for future research that will promote and enhance sci? entific interactions; and, also, you will highlight local available expertise and facilities for future research in this important occupational health area. These objectives bring to my mind two points which I think are important for all of us to consider seriously in the future conduct of our research. The first thought I will discuss is: improving opportunities for public and private sector collaboration in the solution of agriculture's highest priority problems. Cer? tainly, the problems associated with cotton and grain dusts are in that category. The second thought is: closing the gap between science and the public process. Again, I believe some discussion of this thought is pertinent be? cause of the very audible public concern about these par? ticular agricultural problems. At a recent Secretary's Challenge Forum in Washing? ton, DC, the Secretary of Agriculture, John Block, chal? lenged invited participants from the public and private sectors to develop a new partnership towards finding new uses for farm products. Among things discussed were changes in laws and regulations which will encourage agricultural development and ways in which we could work together in a partnership for the benefit of the farmer and the consumer. I served as a facilitator for one of the work groups at this forum, and one point I heard over and over was?if this is going to be a productive partnership?the public sector scientists (state and fed? eral) have got to form a closer linkage with the private