Nelson: Argentine markets appealing
ARGENTINA from page 1
of Agriculture and a trade mission par
ticipant, said he had been concerned by
statements from Argentine officials
that the country would be able to com
pete with the United States in Asian
beef markets by 2003.
But after examining the state of
agriculture in Argentina firsthand,
Sitzman said, he was convinced this
wouldn't happen soon.
Although Argentina is the world’s
second-largest exporter of corn, he
i
said the country doesn t have enough
cattle to compete in beef markets.
To support greater cattle popula
tions, he said, Argentina will have to
convert some of its cropland into graz
ing areas.
State Economic Development
Director Maxine Moul said Nebraska
and Argentina should cooperate to
improve the world's agricultural pro
duction.
Demand for more and better agri
cultural products will increase as the
world's population expands, she said.
‘When you look at the worldwide
need for agriculture, I think we need to
work together,” she said.
The governor said he had dis
cussed with Argentine officials a pro
posed Western Hemisphere free trade
zone similar to the North American
Free Trade Agreement, an idea Nelson
supports. Last fall, Congress voted
against granting President Clinton
fast-track authority to speed creating of
the hemispheric free trade zone, and
the idea has yet to win approval.
South America has laid the
groundwork for open markets with a
free-trade organization called
Mercosur. Nelson said he hoped to
meet with Argentine President Carlos
Menem later this week to discuss free
trade and new markets for Nebraska.
Nelson said the Argentina trip and
other trade missions expanded oppor
tunities for Nebraska business and
allowed the state to scout competition.
“The better we understand what
the others are doing,” he said, “the bet
ter prepared we are to equip ourselves
to maintain the lead.”
--—_
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St Patty's Day on tap:
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Landscaping
director faces
big challenge
MEYERS from page 1
year before the hiring of Meyers.
Kirby Baird, manager of land
scape and botanical services for City
Campus, said adding Meyers to the
department’s staff has been a posi
tive change.
“It was a really smooth transi
tion,” he said. “Ellen Meyers is a
great person to work for. She’s so
positive.”
Meyers said the team spirit of her
department is what she has enjoyed
most so far.
Baird agreed.
“We all seem to work very well
together around here,” he said.
But she’s still trying to adjust to
working with Old Man Winter.
Meyers said the toughest part of
her first month on the job has been
adjusting to some “crazy days”
caused by the elements.
“There aren’t any routines in this
job,” she said. “You can have the
best-planned day, but things will
come up.”
Meyers said tne recent snow
storm kept her busy.
“1 had some days that lasted from
2 a.m. to 6 p.m. during this last
round of snow,” she said. “But plow
ing snow does allow me to quickly
familiarize myself with the cam
pus.”
She’s also one of the first people
to see what the campus looks like
after a large snowfall.
Although she is not directly
responsible for the decision to can
cel classes, she does make a recom
mendation to the chancellor.
“The main question to consider
is whether the campus is safe,” she
said. “If the sidewalks and parking
lots are clear and the essential per
sonnel can get in, we’ll have class.
“Commuters are not the top pri
ority."
Before coming to UNL, Meyers
spent the greater part of her profes
sional life on the East Coast. She
worked in Boston for the
Massachusetts Horticulture Society
and more recently in New Jersey,
where she was employed for five
years by the Sommerset County
Park Commission.
A former high school French
teacher, Meyers returned to school
to get her master's degree in public
horticulture administration from the
University of Delaware.
“Gardening was always a strong
interest of mine,” she said. “I just
extended it into a professional
career.”
Meyers said not to be surprised
to see more tall buffalo grass or
native Nebraska wildflowers sprout
ing up around campus.
“I’m a big fan of naturalistic
design,” she said. “I like the idea of
getting people to preserve and
appreciate what they have.”
Meyers, who grew up near
Indianapolis, said coming to UNL
was a good chance for her to get
back to her Midwestern roots.
“UNL is a well-respected institu
tion whose campus is recognized
around the country for its beauty,”
Meyers said. “I think a lot of people
around here take that for granted.
“And Lincoln just seemed to
have a nice feel to it. The people here
are so enthusiastic and friendly.”
Besides repairing damage from
last fall’s storm, Meyers said,
designing and preparing to land
scape the new plaza area north of the
Nebraska Union was her depart
ment’s top priority.
The new plaza, which will
include a waterfall-type feature, is
expected to be completed next fall.
“I enjoy interactive design, and
this will be a great place for students
to gather again,” she said. “A cam
pus like this isn’t complete without a
place like that.”
