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CORVALLIS - Oregon State University has released a video called "Towns in Transition" and a companion study guide designed to help communities across the United States whose economies are linked to natural resource industries.

"Global, national and local forces have been causing dramatic economic and social changes in natural resource-dependent communities," said Lyla Houglum, director of the OSU Extension Service. "The goal of this educational package is to lend a helping hand to the families that live and work in them." Produced by an Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station team, the 30-minute "Towns in Transition" video examines the experiences of residents in three towns adjusting to significant change. They are Tulelake, Calif.; Forks, Wash.; and Astoria, Ore. Historical mainstays of the three communities' economies are farming, logging and fishing, respectively.

A 40-page, companion study guide applies a model for managing change to the communities featured in the video, discusses how informal and formal leaders can help, and identifies useful tools.

The video was aired via satellite on July 10 - through the national Agricultural Distance Education Consortium - to the extension services in every state for use with local communities.

The "Towns in Transition" VHS video tape, and study guide (VTP 025), are available as a package for $30 including shipping and handling. Additional copies of the study guide (EM 8648) are $2.50 each. To order write: Publication Orders, Extension and Station Communications, Oregon State University, 422 Kerr Admin., Corvallis, OR 97331-2119. Make check or money order payable to OSU Extension Service.

The video was produced by Andy Duncan and Lynn Ketchum of OSU's Department of Extension and Experiment Station Communications. The study guide was written by Flaxen D.L. Conway, Pat Corcoran and Greg Tillson, Extension Service community development specialists, who consulted on the video.

The project was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, call OSU Extension and Experiment Station Communications, 541-737-3311.