Rural teachers of vocational agriculture, realizing the need for access to current information in their field, obtained funds for initiating the use of a computerized telecommunications service. The service selected, AgriData Network, includes reports of news, markets, and trends; a collection of over 500 teaching plans in all subject areas in agriculture; a daily feature of condensed current events in agriculture; and an electronic mail service. Fifteen schools were selected as sites for demonstration of the telecommunication system. Phone modems and a 1-year subscription fee were purchased for each school. Local districts provided the necessary computer equipment as their part of the cost-sharing effort. In-service programs were conducted to assist teachers in use of the equipment, accessing the AgriData Network and incorporating the information into their courses. Among the benefits of the telecommunications system is community involvement. Parents in the farming and ranching community are highly interested in the capability of the network to access current market information and are dropping by the schools to review the latest reports. Some teachers are planning adult evening classes using the lessons available from the networks. A sample news report and a lesson plan on current issues in agriculture are appended. (JHZ)