Tuesday, July 14, 1998 - 4:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Regional Research Committee (Working dinner)

Wednesday, July 15, 1998 - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

North Central Regional Association

1.0 Call to Order and Introductions - Dale Vanderholm

2.0 Approval of the March, 1998 Minutes - Dale Vanderholm

The minutes of the March, 1998 meeting were approved unanimously.

3.0 Adoption of Agenda - Dale Vanderholm

No additional agenda items were added.

4.0 Executive Committee Report - Dale Vanderholm

4.1 Reunion for Emeritus Directors in 1999

5.0 Executive Director's Report - Richard Lower

5.1 NCRA Meeting Minutes

6.0 ESCOP Report - George Ham

6.1 FY 00 Budget - Tom Payne/Jerry Klonglan/Richard Lower

6.2 Pest Management Strategies Subcommittee/NC PIAP; NCS-3; IPM Grant Awards for 1998 - Eldon Ortman

6.3 GPRA Update - Darrell Nelson

6.4 CRIS Update - Darrell Nelson

6.5 ESCOP Strategic Planning Subcommittee - Dale Vanderholm/Richard Lower

6.6 ESCOP Environmental Affairs Subcommittee - Dale Vanderholm

6.7 Image Enhancement (refer to "Southern Successes" sent to Station Directors on May 11, 1998) - Eldon Ortman

6.8 SARE - Darrell Nelson

6.9 Plans for SAES Directors' Workshop, Fall NCRA and ESS/ESCOP Meetings - Richard Lower

7.0 Regional Research Committee
7.1 RRC Report - Fred Cholick

8.0 Hatch Advocacy Update - Dale Vanderholm

9.0 Agency Reports

9.1 CSREES - Colien Hefferan/Sally Rockey

9.2 ARS - Richard Dunkle/Eric Roos

9.3 1890s - Thomas R. Omara-Alwala

9.4 AESOP - Bobby Franklin (teleconference)

9.5 Rural Development Center - Cornelia Flora/Colin Scanes

9.6 NAPFSC - Alan Ek

10.0 Nominations Committee Report - Gerald Klonglan

11.0 Resolutions Committee - Marilyn DeLong

12.0 Announcements

· Animal Production Systems and the Environment: An International Conference - July 19-22, 1998 - Ames, Iowa

· ESCOP/ECOP/ACOP Meeting - July 22-24, 1998 - Asheville, North Carolina

· NCRA Fall Meeting - September 22, 1998 - Kansas City, Missouri

· SAES Workshop - September 22-24, 1998 - Kansas City, Missouri

· ESS/ESCOP Fall Meeting - September 24, 1998 - Kansas City Missouri

· NASULGC - November 15-17, 1998 - Atlanta, Georgia

· March 16-18, 1999 NCRA Meeting - Kansas City, Missouri

John Erdman, University of Illinois
Steve Pueppke, University of Illinois

Eldon Ortman, Purdue University

Gerald Klonglan, Iowa State University
Colin Scanes, Iowa State University

George Ham, Kansas State University
Marc Johnson, Kansas State University
Virginia Moxley, Kansas State University

Jan Bokemeier, Michigan State University
Ian Gray, Michigan State University

Marilyn DeLong, University of Minnesota
Mary Heltsley, University of Minnesota
Philip O. Larsen, University of Minnesota
Al Sullivan, University of Minnesota

Michael Chippendale, University of Missouri
Ken Schneeberger, University of Missouri

Karen Craig, University of Nebraska
Darrell Nelson, University of Nebraska
Dale Vanderholm, University of Nebraska

Virginia Clark, North Dakota State University
Patricia Jensen, North Dakota State University

Fred Cholick, South Dakota State University

Tom Payne, Ohio State University

Margaret Dentine, University of Wisconsin

Madelyn Alt, Executive Director's Office, Madison, WI
Colien Hefferan, CSREES/USDA, Washington, DC
Adrianna Hewings, USDA-ARS Midwest Area, Peoria, IL
Richard Lower, Executive Director's Office, Madison, WI
Thomas R. Omara-Alwala, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO
Sally Rockey, CSREES/USDA, Washington, DC
Eric E. Roos, USDA-ARS, Northern Plains Area, Ft. Collins, CO

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item Number: 4.1
Presenter: Dale Vanderholm
Agenda Item Title: Executive Committee Report
Background Information:

The North Central Regional Association submitted four names for the CSREES administrator's position.

Resolutions presented at the March, 1998 meeting were forwarded.

A letter was sent to past NCRA directors indicating that there will be a reunion of the directors in 1999 to celebrate the beginning of the 51st year of the NCRA.


Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: None.

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 5.0
Presenter: Richard Lower
Agenda Item Title: Executive Director's Report
Background Information

The Executive Director attended the following meetings since our annual spring meeting in Kansas City, Kansas: Genomics discussions with representatives from the National Academy of Sciences, the USDA/CSREES, and AESOP Enterprises, April 6-7, 1998 - Washington, DC; ESCOP Executive Committee Meeting, April 13-15, 1998 - Tucson, AZ; Board of Directors meeting at the AVRDC, April 19-25, 1998 - Taiwan; Review of USDA/CSREES Genome Initiative, May&nbsp26, 1998 - Washington, DC; Participation in New Directors' workshop, May 28, 1998 - Washington, DC; and Board on Agriculture FY 00 Budget Committee Meeting, June 8-9, 1998 - Washington DC.

Our office has also been involved in numerous teleconferences dealing with ESCOP Strategic Planning and Restructuring committees, joint ESCOP/CSREES partnership activities, budget authorization and appropriation actions, paperless management of regional research activities at both regional and national levels, development of SAES Directors' Workshop program, and routine NCRA and RRC program activities.

The NCRA "Rules of Operation" have been approved. The revised rules will be available on the NCRA web site.

If your state has not responded to the plant germplasm release survey, please do as soon as possible.

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: None.

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 5.1
Presenter: Richard Lower
Agenda Item Title: Meeting Minutes
Background Information:

The Executive Committee of the NCRA has recommended that due to the size of meeting minutes, one full set of minutes (which will include the agenda, agenda briefs and handouts from the meetings) will be sent to each station director. The minutes (without handouts) will be available on the web after the meeting. If a copy of a handout is needed, a copy can be obtained either at your local station or from the Executive Director's Office.


Action Requested: Approval of the above procedure for handling meeting minutes.

Action Taken: The directors approved the above concept.

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item Number: 6.1
Presenter: Tom Payne/Jerry Klonglan/Richard Lower
Agenda Item Title: ESCOP FY 00 Budget Agenda Brief
Background Information:

The ESCOP FY 00 Budget Subcommittee has met by teleconference and shared documents by fax and e-mail since the last NCRA meeting. The major activities have been in conjunction with our BOA partners and have addressed both appropriations (FY 99 and 00) and authorization of the research title.

The FY 00 appropriations process is well underway. The ESCOP Subcommittee has made base funds the highest priority with emphasis on the use of new funds for 1) Food Safety and Quality, and 2) Agroecosystems Management. The prioritization of research via the pairwise comparison exercise is complete and this data will be utilized in establishing priorities within each portion of our research portfolio (i.e., base funds, NRI, special grants, other). ESCOP advocacy is directed to linking multi-level research accomplishments (local, state, regional and national) via success stories/image enhancement to funding requests.

The BOA budget committee is very active in meeting with the various partners and with federal agencies involved with the FY 00 budget process. Numerous supporting documents have been developed by the various BOA partners that will be used in support of the FY 00 budget. Terms of office for BOA budget committee members have been extended to allow for greater continuity, increased experience and expertise in budgetary actions. The BOA committee is also expanding its activities to give greater care to linking budget planning with reporting and advocacy.

CSREES has been a very cooperative partner with the BOA committee. CSREES developed a matrix for use in preparation of the FY 00 budget lines and numbers. The matrix aligns program opportunities, supporting units, and funding mechanisms with the CSREES goals. It has proven helpful in budget discussions and priority assignment.

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: None.

Meeting Date:July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 6.2
Presenter: Eldon Ortman
Agenda Item Title: NC Integrated Pest Management Awards for 1998
Background Information:

Fourteen awards were made for 1998: seven awards for Research, two for Extension and five joint Research and Extension awards were made. Itemized list attached.


Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: None.

PI	Institution/ State	Title
Brewer, Gary	ND	Development of Regional Predictive Models for the Sunflower Midge, Contarinia schulzi
Grau, Craig	WI	Endophytic Acremonium-like Fungi as Possible Agents Altering Soybean Health and Productivity
Hein, Gary	NE	Characterization of Genetic Morphological and Host Range Differences within and between Wheat Curl Mite Populations
Hogg, David	WI	Biological Control of Alfalfa Blotch Leafminer in the Upper Midwest
Maynard, Elizabeth	PU	Weed Management in Cucurbits
Perry, Keith	PU	Assessing and Managing Virus Disease in Wheat Production
Weinzierl, Richard	IL	Improved Assessment of the Impacts of Parasitoids in Biological Control of Flies

PI	Institution/ State	Title
Latin, Richard	PU	A Compilation of Disease Warning Systems for Vegetable Crops in the North Central Region
Smith, George	MO	Corn Insect Pests: A Diagnostic Approach

PI	Institution/ State	Title
Doll, Jerry	WI-Ext	Crop Rotations for Integrated Weed Management
Gleason, Mark	IA	Using Site-Specific Weather Data Simulation to Accelerate IPM Implementation
Hammond, Ronald	OH	Glandular-Haired Alfalfa: A New Integrated Pest Management Tool
Jordan, Nicholas	MN	Management Methods to Aid Adoption of Integrated Weed Management
Munkvold, Gary	IA	Transgenic Maize for Integrated Management of Insects, Diseases, and Mycotoxins

The IPM Coordinator position, presently occupied by Dr. Harold Cable, a weed scientist from North Carolina State University, is set up as a one-year IPA. Dr. Cable is scheduled to return to North Carolina State January 1, 1999. This position was set up to provide a coordinating effort across agencies within USDA related to IPM issues. This has been accomplished through an IPM Coordinating committee with representation from all USDA agencies involved with IPM as well as EPA.

In the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998, Congress indicated one of the responsibilities of the Land Grant Institutions, in order to obtain formula funds, was to establish and implement a process for obtaining input from persons who conduct or use agricultural research, extension, or education concerning the use of the funds. The IPM program has operated in this manner for many years. When the IPM Initiative was announced in 1994, the first effort under the new initiative was to set up a system of obtaining stakeholder input regarding IPM needs. Planning activities involving stakeholders were engaged across the country and 23 needs assessment statements were developed based on IPM commodity needs. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to generate federal support for the development and implementation of those programs. On a smaller scale, several projects have gone forward utilizing various resources.

Passage of the FQPA has the potential to have a devastating impact on the availability of pesticides for pest control. One scenario for example includes a "cancellation" of all organo- phosphates and possibly a major similar impact on carbonates. A conference/workshop was held in February in St. Louis, MO to explore the impact of FQPA and discuss IPM options.

The primary planning and priority setting in the past year has been conducted by the regional IPM committees. Issues requiring national discussion have taken been addressed through conference calls of the National IPM Committee. At least one IPM committee will add academic instruction to the mix this year and become a regional IPM research, extension, and academic program IPM committee.

Each region is making a significant effort in highlighting accomplishments and in measuring success as the result of research and extension efforts in IPM. Through both color reports and web sites, USDA officials, Congressional staff and others can see what has been achieved with formula and competitive funding.

Except for formula funds, it appears that funding will be level for the 1999 fiscal year. As in the past, this lack of available funding impedes progress on the IPM initiatives announced in 1994 as well as new programs critical to success of IPM in light of FQPA implementation.

Meeting Date:July 15, 1998
Agenda Item Number: 6.3
Presenter: Darrell W. Nelson
Agenda Item Title: GPRA
Background Information:

Most state GPRA Performance Plans were submitted to CSREES by February 1, 1998. The majority of SAES Directors elected to provide their performance plans in the form of a narrative. The internal CSREES GPRA Task Force is synthesizing individual state plan into a nation wide plan for submission to OMB. The CSREES effort was recently posted on the www as part of the USDA 1999 Annual Performance Plan. This plan can be viewed at:

http://www.reeusda.gov/part/gpra/gprahome/htm.

The GPRA Partnership Working Group has been inactive for nine months. All monthly teleconferences have been canceled by George Cooper and the working Group is not up to speed on the current status of the CSREES efforts on GPRA.

The GPRA Alternatives Task Force appointed by Administrator Robinson has also been inactive. It is my understanding the members of this group are unaware of current GPRA efforts ongoing in CSREES or the plans for reporting during 1999.

Action Requested: Continue to monitor GPRA developments as disseminated by CSREES. Be prepared to report during 1999 on goals and objectives listed in the GPRA Performance Plan submitted on February&nbsp1, 1998.

Action Taken: None.

Meeting Date:July 15, 1998
Agenda Item Number: 6.4
Presenter: Darrell W. Nelson
Agenda Item Title: CRIS Enhancement
Background Information:

The CRIS Enhancement Task Force has completed their work and submitted the final report to CSREES. Ted Bauer and his staff are proceeding to implement the recommendations of the CRIS Enhancement Task Force including the new taxonomy. Larry Miller is the key contact for his effort within CSREES. Ted Bauer will make a presentation on CRIS and have a short "hands on" workshop during the SAES Directors' Workshop on September 22-24, 1998. The new CRIS should be fully implemented by January 1999.


Action Requested: Implement the new CRIS taxonomy within your station when requested by CRIS personnel. It may be useful to hold a workshop to acquaint key personnel at your university with the new taxonomy. A copy of the taxonomy was distributed as part of the minutes of the March 17-19, 1998 NCRA meeting. This information is also on the www at:
http://ctr.uvm.edu/cris/enhance

Action Taken: A discussion was held that a workshop should be held for the administrative personnel who will be working on the CRIS reports from the individual states. This will be followed-up after the September meetings.

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 6.5
Presenter: Dale Vanderholm
Agenda Item Title: ESCOP Strategic Planning Subcommittee
Background Information:

The current draft of a Medium Term Strategic Plan 1999-2003 appears on the web at http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/escop/strgpln2.html. This draft reflects input from all of the regions after their spring meetings. It will be brought up for approval at the ESCOP summer meeting and at the ESS September meeting. A futuring session with ECOP was held in Virginia in May. The objective is to develop a summary of issues considered of significant importance to both research and extension in the future. A report will be disseminated at a later date.

Action Requested: Information only. Comments on Draft Strategic Plan are welcome.

Action Taken: The most recent draft is available on the web. The intent is to approve the structure at the regional meetings in September and at the Section meeting ask for final approval.

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 6.6
Presenter: Dale Vanderholm
Agenda Item Title: ESCOP Environmental Affairs Subcommittee
Background Information:

The ESCOP Environmental Affairs Subcommittee continues to have a primary function as the advisory/steering committee for the SAES/USDA-CSREES National Environmental Initiative (SUNEI). SUNEI continues to develop linkages with multiple federal agencies for collaborative research opportunities and funding opportunities involving the SAES system. Announcements of granting programs and other opportunities are disseminated to SAES regularly by e-mail. The most recent SUNEI activity was a summit conference, "Regulation, Research, and Outreach: Improving Local Environmental Decision Making", organized in cooperation with USDA, EPA, and NASA. Dr. Chuck Krueger continues in an IPA position with CSREES working with environmental issues and as liaison to SUNEI. A proposal to continue SUNEI, but phasing out SAES support will be submitted to ESCOP in July. If ESCOP approves, a referendum of ESS members will be held to decide whether to continue.

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: None.

Meeting Date : July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 6.7
Presenter: Image Enhancement
Agenda Item Title: Eldon Ortman/Richard Lower
Background Information:

The Southern Region has put together a set of success stories that highlights results of research conducted in their region. A set of these success stories was shared with each station director (see attached).

Action Requested: Is this something we want to do in the North Central Region?

Action Taken: This will be discussed further at a meeting with the Regional Research Committee.

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 6.8
Presenter: Darrell Nelson
Agenda Item Title: SARE
Background Information:

FY-98 Preproposals Received by State (Research & Education/Demonstration)

IL	IN	IA	KS	MI	MN	MO	NE	ND	OH	SD	WI	OTHER	TOTAL
10	2	10	6	9	15	3	16	6	9	7	17	2	112

Note: One Illinois preproposal and two preproposals under "Other" were excluded from consideration bringing the total number of preproposals forwarded to the Administrative Council for review to 109.

FY-98 Preproposals Invited to Submit Full Proposals by State (Research & Education/Demonstration)

IL	IN	IA	KS	MI	MN	MO	NE	ND	OH	SD	WI	OTHER	TOTAL
1	1	2	4	3	4	1	5	2	2	3	8	0	36

FY-98 Proposals Received by State (Research & Education/Demonstration)

IL	IN	IA	KS	MI	MN	MO	NE	ND	OH	SD	WI	OTHER	TOTAL
1	1	2	3	3	4	1	5	2	2	3	7	0	34

Note: One Wisconsin proposal was excluded for review due to non-compliance bringing the total number of proposals reviewed by the Technical Committee to 33.

FY-98 Proposals Recommended for Funding by State (Research & Education/Demonstration)

IL	IN	IA	KS	MI	MN	MO	NE	ND	OH	SD	WI	OTHER	TOTAL
1	1	1	2	1	2	1	2	0	1	1	0	0	13

Note: Two planning grants are included in the total shown above -- one in Kansas and one in South Dakota.

FY-98 Proposals Received by State (Marketing)

IL	IN	IA	KS	MI	MN	MO	NE	ND	OH	SD	WI	OTHER	TOTAL
0	1	4	2	4	4	1	1	2	3	1	2	0	24

FY-98 Proposals Recommended for Funding by State (Marketing)

IL	IN	IA	KS	MI	MN	MO	NE	ND	OH	SD	WI	OTHER	TOTAL
0	1	1	1	0	2	1	0	1	1	1	1	0	10

Note: One planning grant awarded in the state of South Dakota is included in the total shown above.

FY-98 Proposals Received by State (Professional Development Program)

IL	IN	IA	KS	MI	MN	MO	NE	ND	OH	SD	WI	OTHER	TOTAL
1	4	1	2	3	2	3	0	2	6	1	5	0	30

FY-98 Proposals Recommended for Funding (Professional Development Program Projects)

IL	IN	IA	KS	MI	MN	MO	NE	ND	OH	SD	WI	OTHER	TOTAL
1	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	2	2	0	0	0	8

Note: This is an incomplete listing as funding recommendation on two proposals (one South Dakota and one Wisconsin) was deferred until the June, 1998 Administrative Council meeting.

FY-98 Proposals Received by State (Professional Development Program Coordinator/Training Project)

IL	IN	IA	KS	MI	MN	MO	NE	ND	OH	SD	WI	OTHER	TOTAL
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1

Note: Funding recommendations on the two proposals received for the coordinator/training project was deferred until the June, 1998 Administrative Council meeting.

FY-98 Producer Grant Applications Received by State

IL	IN	IA	KS	MI	MN	MO	NE	ND	OH	SD	WI	OTHER	TOTAL
17	22	21	19	18	20	26	9	17	18	12	12	0	211

Note: Funding recommendations for the producer grant program will be determined at the June, 1998 Administrative Council meeting.

Additional information:

· Dr. Jill Auburn was selected as the new Director of the National SARE Program effective January, 1998.
· Dr. George Bird has resigned as the NCR SARE Professional Development Program Coordinator effective August, 1998. A call for the regional training project/coordinator was issued this year.
· The March, 1998 Technical Committee meeting was held in Austin, Texas to coincide with the National SARE 10-Year Anniversary Conference. The NCR staff coordinated the recruitment of researchers and farmers from our region to attend this conference.
· Special call for marketing projects was issued this year.

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 6.9
Presenter: Richard Lower
Agenda Item Title: SAES/ARD Director's Workshop

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Managing State Agricultural Experiment Stations (SAES- 1862) and Agricultural Research Stations (ARS-1890). A workshop that addresses techniques that apply to all stations. We will have 30-minute breaks (coffee, tea and soft drinks), continental breakfasts, and lunches for the full-day sessions. The first evening there will be a dinner with a 30-minute program followed by a one-hour social. The second evening will be a dinner only, with no other planned activities.

SESSION 1 - Tuesday, September 22 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Moderator: Barbara Schneeman, Director and Dean of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of California-Davis

WELCOME AND LOGISTICS 1:00 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.
Barbara Schneeman

REVIEW OF SAES ACTIVITIES 1:10 p.m. - 1:40 p.m.
Dan Rossi, Chair of ESCOP, Associate Director, Rutgers University

EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SAES SYSTEM 1:40 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Darrell Nelson, Chair-Elect of ESCOP, Director, Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Nebraska

LINKING PLANNING, BUDGET, GPRA AND IMAGE ENHANCEMENT/IMPACT ASSESSMENT. DOES ESCOP HAVE THE PROPER ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE TO PULL THIS OFF? 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Vic Lechtenberg, Dean, Purdue University, Chair, USDA NAREEE Advisory Board

BREAK 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

PANEL DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Dean Lechtenberg and past Chairs of Regional Associations: Walter A. Hill, ARD; George Ham, NCRA; Rosemary Haggett, NERA; D. C. Coston, SAAESD; Ron Pardini, WAAESD; and Moderator Barbara Schneeman

BUDGETING - AUTHORIZATION AND APPROPRIATION 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Budget in the "out years." The federal authorization process: A summary of current authorization (Farm Bill 1998). What the LGU System fought for, won and lost. Plan for 2003. The charge - how do we get ready? Approaches, organizational mechanisms, commitments. Terry Nipp, AESOP Enterprises (30 minutes)

Budget in the "current years." The federal appropriation process: Appropriations for FY 99, FY 00 and Future. What we have done, what works, what does not work. The charge - what should we do in the future to enhance our success in developing research support? Bobby Franklin, AESOP Enterprises (30 minutes)

SESSION 2 - September 22 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Moderator: Dale Vanderholm, Associate Director, University of Nebraska

DINNER 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

AFTER DINNER PROGRAM 7:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Mark Drabenstott, Vice-President and Economist, Federal Reserve Bank, Kansas City, Missouri

SOCIAL/RECEPTION 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Cash bar)

Wednesday, September 23

Continental Breakfast 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

SESSION 3 - 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Moderator: Gale Buchanan, Dean and Director, College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, University of Georgia

BUDGETING - AUTHORIZATION AND APPROPRIATION CONTINUED 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Two-hour discussion. We will divide participants into four groups (25 to 30 each).
Two groups will discuss and make recommendations for action on authorization charge (Terry Nipp). Two groups will discuss and make recommendations on appropriations charge (Bobby Franklin). A recorder will be selected for each group.

BREAK 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

DISCUSSION GROUP REPORTS 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (15-20 minutes each)
Authorization Process - Group I (Leader: Johnny Wynne, Associate Dean and Director, North Carolina State University)
Authorization Process - Group II (Leader: Ronnie Coffman, Director, Cornell University)
Appropriation Process - Group III (Leader: McArthur Floyd, Director, Alabama A&M University)
Appropriation Process - Group IV (Leader: Thomas Payne, Associate Dean and Director, Ohio State University)
SUMMARY COMMENTS - Terry Nipp and Bobby Franklin (10 minutes)

LUNCH 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

SESSION 4 - Wednesday, September 23 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Moderator: Bobby Moser, Vice President for Agriculture, Ohio State University

THE SAES ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND HOW IT
SHOULD BE FUNDED 1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Peter McPherson, President, Michigan State University

RESPONSE PANEL 2:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
President McPherson; Walter Hill, Dean and Director of Agriculture, Tuskegee University; Emmy Simmons, Deputy Assistant Administrator, US AID (invited) and Moderator Bobby Moser

BREAK 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

SEEKING ORDER OUT OF CHAOS 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
In 1994, Congress reorganized the structure of USDA. In 1998, we have a new Farm Bill that further challenges SAES and structure. We also have a series of USDA strategic plans that direct us toward certain goals and objectives: REE, CSREES, ARS, ERS, NASS. Further direction comes from the NASULGC BOA futuring effort and its resulting ISSUES TO ACTION. In March 1998 we received a list of priority areas from the USDA Advisory Board. Each of the COPS has or are preparing strategic plans.

How do we move ahead? Is there a blueprint to follow? Speaker: Colien Hefferan, Acting Administrator, CSREES

CHARGE TO DISCUSSION GROUPS 4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

DINNER 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 24

Continental Breakfast 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

SESSION 5 - 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Moderator: Gloria Wyche-Moore, Director, Agricultural Experiment Station, University of the District of Columbia

DISCUSSION GROUPS - KEY STRATEGIES FOR "SEEKING ORDER OUT OF CHAOS"8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Leaders - Chairs of Regional Associations
Group I - Leader: Ken Bell, ARD; Recorder: Sam Donald, ARD
Group II - Leader: Scott Angle, NERA; Recorder: David MacKenzie, Executive Director (ED)
Group III - Leader: Richard Jones, SAAESD; Recorder: Tom Helms, ED
Group IV - Leader: Jim Carlson, WAAESD; Recorder: Robert Heil, ED
BREAK 9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

DISCUSSION REPORTS 10:00 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.
Group I
Group II (10 minutes each)
Group III
Group IV

HOW DO WE GET AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ON THE NATIONAL AGENDA LIKE BIOMEDICAL, GENERAL SCIENCE, SPACE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH? 10:40 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Colin Kaltenbach, Vice Dean and Director of Research, University of Arizona

RESPONSE PANEL 11:20 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Chair-Elects of Regions: Fred Cholick, NCRA; McArthur Floyd, ARD; G. Bruce Wiersma, NERA; Jerry Cherry, SAAESD; Richard C. Heimsch, WAAESD; and Moderator Gloria Wyche-Moore

SYNTHESIS AND WRAP UP 11:50 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Richard Lower, ED, North Central Region, University of Wisconsin

ADJOURN 12:00 p.m.

7/13/98

Regional Research Committee Report

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 8.0
Presenter: Dale Vanderholm, NE
Agenda Item Title: Hatch Advocacy Update
Background Information:

Based on input from NCRA, North Central regional projects with exceptional productivity and impact were selected. The RRC will review summary information on these projects and recommend those to be used for input to Congress, USDA, OMB, and others on the accomplishments from regional research supported by Hatch Funding. The Western Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors has sent a letter to NCRA and the other regional associations proposing a unified national effort to have stakeholders explain the value of regional research and use this as a mechanism to help increase formula funds. This will also be discussed by the RRC and recommendations may be made to NCRA on working with WAAESD and the other regions on this effort.

Action Requested: TBA depending on RRC recommendations.

Action Taken: The process on advocacy (attached) was thoroughly discussed. A draft format, complete with guidelines for preparation, will be designed by the NCR Image Enhancement leaders by December 31, 1998. Draft documents will be prepared by administrative advisors from 5-6 selected NC projects.

1) The RRC will review the blueprint and recommend some action to the NCRA.

2) With NCRA approval, the names of the selected regional projects will be released by RRC.

3) The AAs for the projects will be charged with developing a writeup (advocacy statement) for the project.

4) A reasonable time frame will be selected and the writeups will go forward to budget, image enhancement and appropriate committees.


NC-174 "Impact of Accelerated Erosion on Soil Properties and Productivity (New title 10/1/98: Management of Eroded Soils for Enhancement of Productivity and Environmental Quality)
Administrative Advisor: G. E. Ham, KS

NC-189 "Forage Protein Characterization and Utilization for Cattle" - Administrative Advisor: S. S. Waller, NE

NC-205 "Ecology and Management of European Corn Borer and Other Stalk-Boring Lepidoptera" - Administrative Advisor: E. E. Ortman, IN

NC-208 "Impact Analysis and Decision Strategies for Agricultural Research" - Administrative Advisor: M. V. Martin, MN (also will be assisted by Wally Huffman and Ed Adcock, ISU)

NC-209 "Genetic Improvement of Cattle Using Molecular Genetic Information" - Administrative Advisor: M. Dentine, WI

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 9.1
Presenter: Sally Rockey/Colien Hefferan
Agenda Item Title: CSREES Report
Background Information:

The Plan of Work. This will be a significant new document for reporting requirements. Dr. Hefferan has been working with the leadership of the COPs for developing teams for the plan of work: stakeholder inputs; peer and merit review on the system; functionality of how to put together multi-state, multi-requirements for extension activities; and a team to look at multi- functional.

Research Title. CSREES representatives met with USDA lawyers to make sure they know about the implementation of the bill. This is a good way to do business and we want to do in a consultative way. We need to rethink how the budget is being done; get a jump start for implementation of the Farm Bill. We want to use the full extent the exemptions from the Federal Advisory Committee (FAC) Act. CSREES is one of the few federal agencies where all meetings are open to the public. The FAC Act does not work for the final plan for the new initiative. There is a conflict of interest to compete for the bill and this does not allow for planning activities.

The appropriations will be available October 1 in an election year. While working with congressional staff we need to be creative.

GPRA. For a lot of reasons, good and programmatic, not a lot of time has been spent on this. The Research Title has provisions that focus on the Plan of Work, which will become the GPRA. This is a critical element. Would like to take all of the information received thus far and come up with a consolidated plan. Will not reinvent what has already been thought through. Dr. Cooper indicated that they have completed about half of the states' plan of work.

Administrator's Position. This is still pending.

The New Initiative. Currently getting groups together described in the initiative: biotechnology, genomics, new usages, food nutrition and technology, farm _____ and precision agriculture. Will be looking at the stakeholder input and will try to summarize into common areas. CSREES hopes to get $120 million. There is no appropriation for this initiative. The senate is remaining silent; the house has made the line disappear and this will need to be resolved in conference.

Genomics. Industry is far ahead of the land-grant institutes. Need to have a forum with industry to see where both sides are; what is industry willing to share. The Academy will help put a forum together. It is difficult for industry to release information - the longer we wait, the harder it will be to get information.

A grantsmanship workshop is being scheduled around the first two weeks of October. An announcement should be out within the next month.

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: None.

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 9.2
Presenter: Adrianna Hewings/Eric Roos
Agenda Item Title: ARS
Background Information:

Adrianna Hewings, USDA-ARS Midwest Area, Peoria, Illinois, indicated that their budget is still in question but looks fairly good. Many projects were slated for closure but were restored. A good budget for ARS is a good budget for the AES.

ARS is in the process of recruiting for many important leadership positions in the Midwest.

The National Program staff will be taking the initiative in reporting for GPRA.

Eric E. Roos, USDA-ARS, Northern Plains Area, Ft. Collins, Colorado indicated that much of their activity resolves around cooperation and partnering with universities and stakeholders. The approach is an active customer-focus group.

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: None.

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 9.3
Presenter: Thomas Omara-Alwala
Agenda Item Title: 1890 Institute
Background Information:

Food and Nutrition Program set-a-sides - 5 million
*Health and Food Safety (Train Inspectors)
*Nutritional Educational Outreach (EFNEP model)
*Eating Right Education Program (Teaching Dietetics)

Natural Resources and Environment - 5 million
*Water Quality (Research, Demonstrations)
*Wetland Research (Research, Demonstrations)
*Alternative Animal/Plant Enterprises (Implementation strategies)
*Distance Education vs face-to-face approaches in working with small farmers, families

Animal Science and Production Practices - 3 million
*Animal Waste Handling Practices
*Enhanced Partnerships Business/Industry
*Increase Graduate Research Grants/Participation Project Level

Economic Development; Small/Large Communities - 3 million
*Leadership Development
*Enhanced Entrepreneurship for Rural Community Development
*Increasing the Pool of Vocational Secondary Teachers
*Broaden the Interface with K-12, Science, Math and Technology,
especially for rural, small town areas

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 9.4
Presenter: Bobby Franklin (via teleconference)
Agenda Item Title: AESOP
Background Information:

Currently in the middle of the agricultural appropriations on the floor of the senate. The house has the formula funds level; zeroed out the Fund for Rural America and the New Initiative; the senate has a three percent increase in base funds; and full funding for the New Initiative; and have zeroed the Fund for Rural America. There are 40 odd amendments pending. None have any offset related to the Initiative.

The future for the Fund for Rural America looks pretty gloomy. It is not a secret that there has been difficulty getting the funding. The fund started off as a view on the hill as a partisan issue but there were many bumps in the road. It is hard to fund something when you do not get anything out of it - need to have an established record. If the fund goes down this year, we will need to fight hard next year to maintain the $120 million Initiative.

On July 9, a stakeholder input session was held. Milo Shult represented ESCOP.

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: None.

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 9.5
Presenter: Colin Scanes for Cornelia Flora
Agenda Item Title: Center for Rural Development
Background Information:

Major accomplishments, July 1, 1997-June 30, 1998

(Note: All these are with a wide range of partners)

1. Health-based community development interagency teams trained and working in rural communities in ten of the twelve states. Outcome: Communities determine what they want local, health care delivery to look like and what they can do to make it happen.

2. Inventory and analysis of current workforce preparation efforts throughout the US. Outcome: More effective welfare reform initiatives at the state and local level with collaboration from the Land Grant System.

3. Initiation and analysis of community-based processes for natural resource conservation and production. Outcome: More effective natural resource management by community groups and agricultural land managers.

4. Evaluation of progress toward outcomes of the major place-based poverty reduction process of the current administration, the EZ/EC program in rural areas. Outcome: More effective federal program guidelines for the second round and communities able to measure their own progress.

5. Design of research approach to address the impact of value-added agriculture on rural communities. Output: Comparative research implemented throughout the region to aid in state and local policy making.

Meeting Date: July 15, 1998
Agenda Item: 10.0
Presenter: Gerald Klonglan
Agenda Item Title: Nominations Committee Report
Background Information:

Officers F. A. Cholick, SD, Chair (99) T. L. Payne, OH, Chair-Elect (00) Executive Committee F. A. Cholick, SD, Chair (99) D. H. Vanderholm, NE, Past Chair (99) T. L. Payne, OH, Chair-Elect (99) C. G. Scanes, IA, Chair-RRC (99) R. L. Lower, Exec. Vice Chair (Perm) Regional Research Committee (3-year term) C. G. Scanes, IA, Chair (00) V. L. Clark, ND (01) J. I. Gray, MI, (02) P. O. Larsen, MN (01) S. G. Pueppke, IL (Alt) F. A. Cholick, SD, Ex-Officio R. L. Lower, ED, Ex-Officio Resolutions Committee (3 year term) M. R. DeLong, MN (00) Nominating Committee (3 year term) G. E. Klonglan, IA, Chair (99) V. L. Clark, ND (01) - CHECK YEAR Rural Development Center Board (2-year term) J. Bokemeier, MI (99) P. Jensen, ND (00)

ESCOP (3-year term) D. H. Vanderholm, NE (99) F. A. Cholick, SD (00) T. L. Payne, OH (01) R. L. Lower, ED, Perm. Alt ESCOP Executive Subcommittee D. H. Vanderholm, NE (99) R. L. Lower, ED, Perm. Alt. The other ESCOP Committees will be determined at a later date due to the restructuring of ESCOP.

Administrative advisors to new regional projects:

NC-___ Rural Low-Income Families: Monitoring Their Well-Being and Functioning in the Context of Welfare Reform - J. Bokemeier, MI

NCR-196 Watersheds and Landscapes: Integrating Social and Biophysical Data at a Regional Scale - K. McSweeney, WI

NCT-175 Development of Pest Management Strategies for Forage Alfalfa Persistence - L. R. Nault, OH

NCT-176 Information Management for Agricultural Production Systems - M. Johnson, KS

NCT-177 Agricultural Safety and Health Research - D. H. Vanderholm, NE

Administrative advisor changes to on-going regional projects:

	Past Advisor	New Advisor
NC-202	L. Olsen, MI	W. R. Woodson, IN
NC-217	K. E. Craig, NE	P. Jensen, ND
NCR-42	N. J. Wilsman, WI	R. Easter, IL
NCR-46	D. W. Nelson, NE	S. G. Pueppke, IL
NCR-167	R. P. Cantrell, IA	G. Heichel, IL

Action Taken: The directors approved the above committee assignments and administrative advisor changes.

WHEREAS, Dr. Dianne C. Draper, on June 30, 1998, completes her appointment as Assistant Director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, a position she has held since January 1, 1994; and

WHEREAS, Dee has served the North Central Region effectively as an administrator advisor; and

WHEREAS, Dee has shown exemplary leadership in the areas of family and consumer sciences; and

WHEREAS, Dee has and continues to maintain active participation and leadership in human ecology;

THEREFORE, the North Central Regional Association both commends and thanks Dianne Draper for her service to the Association and to the people of the North Central Region. We wish Dee the best success as she resumes her full-time and teaching position as Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at Iowa State University.

July 1998
North Central Regional Association of
State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors

WHEREAS, Neal A. Jorgensen on June 1, 1998, resigned from his position as dean and director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, a position he held since June of 1997; and

WHEREAS, he postponed his planned retirement by one-year to assume the dean's responsibilities upon special request of the UW-Madison chancellor; and

WHEREAS, Neal had a long and distinguished career of nearly 38 years as a graduate student, Department of Dairy Science faculty member, Associate Dean for Research, Executive Associate Dean, and finally Dean and Director of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences; and

WHEREAS, he had a highly productive career as dairy nutrition researcher, training more than 65 graduate students, many of whom are now leaders in science and industry worldwide, and producing hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and abstracts; and

WHEREAS, Neal's great teaching skills and his ability to relate to students earned him numerous awards from the College, student organizations, and the American Dairy Science Association; and

WHEREAS, he was a highly innovative and respected leader of the College's research division; and performed admirably as an Executive Associate Dean to bring the College's substantial operating deficit back into balance; and

WHEREAS, he has served the North Central Region faithfully as a member of administrative committees and other national committees, including being the first chair of the National Genetic Resources Advisory Council, which helped give rise to the food genomics initiative; and

WHEREAS, Neal served on the board of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, on the Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences, the NRC's Board on Agriculture, and chaired the Subcommittee on Animal Systems that developed the National Research Initiative competitive grants program;

THEREFORE, the North Central Regional Association both commends and thanks Neal A. Jorgensen for his outstanding service to the Association, the Land-Grant mission, and the people of the North Central Region. We wish Neal and his wife, Darlyne, a long and enjoyable retirement.

July 16, 1998
North Central Regional Association of
State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors

WHEREAS, Barbara Stowe on June 30, 1998, retired from her position as Dean of the College of Human Ecology and Assistant Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station at Kansas State University, a position she has held since 1983; and

WHEREAS, Barbara has had an outstanding academic career as Assistant Director of Extension for 4-H Youth Programs; Cooperative Extension Service at Michigan State University; as Chairperson and Professor of the Department of Human Environment and Design College of Human Ecology at Michigan State University; as Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Consumer Affairs at Auburn University; and

WHEREAS, Barbara has further served the mission of the state agricultural experiment station system as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics Advisory Board 1998; and as a member of the Board of Directors of the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development 1995-96; and

WHEREAS, Barbara has maintained an active participation in national scientific and professional societies as President of the Association of Administrators of Home Economics and Chair of the Board on Home Economics of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC) 1995-96; member of the Agricultural Science and Technology Review Board 1992-95; member of the Division of Agriculture 1993 Budget Development Committee of NASULGC 1991-93; member of the National Agricultural Research Committee (NARC) 1989-93; and National President of the Association of College Professors of Textiles and Clothing 1977-78; and

THEREFORE, the North Central Regional Association both commends and thanks Barbara Stowe for her outstanding service to the Association, the Land-Grant mission, and the people of the North Central Region. We wish Barbara great enjoyment and success in her well-earned retirement years.

July 1998
North Central Regional Association of
State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors

WHEREAS, Dr. Robert L. Todd in the spring of 1998, resigned his position as Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, a position he has held since July, 1994; and

WHEREAS, Bob has had an impressive academic career as an Assistant/Associate Professor at the University of Georgia; as Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology at South Dakota State University; as Assistant Dean for Research and Assistant Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station at the Penn State University; as Professor of Agronomy at the Penn State University; and

WHEREAS, Bob has served the North Central Region faithfully as an administrative advisor for numerous research and technical committees; and

WHEREAS, Bob has further served as the North Central representative on the ESCOP FY 98 Budget Development Subcommittee; and

WHEREAS, Bob has and continues to maintain active participation in national scientific and professional societies in the areas of microbiology, soil science and agronomy;

THEREFORE, the North Central Regional Association both commends and thanks Robert L. Todd for his outstanding service to the Association, the Land-Grant mission, and the people of the North Central Region. We wish Bob great enjoyment and success as he returns to teaching and conducting research in soil science/soil microbiology at North Dakota State University.

July 1998
North Central Regional Association of
State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors