agInnovation South Virtual Fall Meeting

• Approval of Agenda
• Spring Meeting Minutes
• Interim Actions

Action taken:
Agenda – Approved (Saied Mostaghimi / JF Meullenet)
Spring Meeting Minutes – Approved (Saied Mostaghimi / Steve Lommel)
Interim Actions – Approved (Saied Mostaghimi / Steve Lommel)

• Recommendations, Discussion & Motion for approval
  • SERA5 – Sweet Potato Collaborators’ Working Group
  • SERA35 – Delta Region Farm Management and Agricultural Policy Working Group

In meeting discussion:

• 2 SERA’s up for renewal (SERA5 & SERA35)
• Committee’s recommendation
  • Committee recommendation is for 5 year approval for both SERA’s
  • SERA 5 and 35 need to complete/update Appendix E participant list
  • Include more specific and measurable impacts and outcomes

Action taken:

• Motion for approval – (Reuben Moore / Rob Gilbert)
• All recommendations from the SERA Review Committee were approved

• Approval of SCC33 & SCC80

In meeting discussion:

• Southern Coordinating Committees (SCCs) go through similar review steps as a Multistate project by the MRC, without peer reviews and NIFA approval. Propose a vote to accept the MRC’s approval/rejection of SCC proposals to align with all other project approvals
• Gary will send email ballot for COO’s to vote on a proposal to align our approval processes for SCCs and Multistate projects so that final approval is made by the MRC with the results reported to the agInnovation South directors at regional meetings.

 Action taken:

• Approved SCC33 & SCC80 proposals (JF Meullenet / David Ragsdale)

• NRSP Renewals
  • NRSP4 – Facilitating Registration of Pest Management Technology for Specialty Crops and Specialty Uses
  • NRSP6 – The US Potato Genebank: Acquisition, Classification, Preservation, Evaluation and Distribution of Potato (Solanum) Germplasm
  • NRSP9 – National Animal Nutrition Program
• NRSP Midterm Review
  • NRSP1 – Multistate Research Information Management and Impact Communications Program
• NRSP Guidelines Revisions Discussion
• NRSP-RC Recommendations and Voting Instructions

We are pleased to provide you with a link to the electronic voting for the FFY21 NRSP-RC recommendations, due 15 min after the NRSP-RC report during the Fall ESS Business meeting on 10/1: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3r4gblmWKnTxua9. Please cast your vote using ONLY the online survey tool.
In meeting discussion:

• NRSP-RC recommendations
  • NRSP4 – $481,182 per year
    • Recommends funding for 5 years; include a clear distinction between NRSP4 and IRA4; plan to transition off NRSP funding
  • NRSP6 – $135,000 one year
    • Recommends funding be terminated in FY20 which automatically results in 1 additional year of funding. A new proposal would be considered
  • NRSP9 – $199,000 (3 yrs), $219,000 (1 yr), $249,000 (1 yr)
    • Recommends funding for 5 years; transition plans and impact analysis due at mid-term review
  • NRSP Guidelines
    • NRSP-RC is recommending a two-track system for NRSPs
      • Capacity or core projects of national scope and interest
      • New and emerging competitive innovations projects
    • NRSP-RC voting on-line survey link is live
    • One vote per station
    • Due 15 minutes after NRSP-RC report on October 1^st
    • Votes are Approve/Disapprove/Abstain on NRSP-RC recommendations

• agInnovation South Chair-elect

In meeting discussion:

• Robert Gilbert, FL, was nominated for agInnovation South Chair-elect and nominations were closed
• Robert Gilbert was elected by acclamation

• Leadership Award Presentation – Keith Owens

Actions Taken:

• Resolutions recognized Dr. Sherry Larkin and Dr. Keith Owens for their service
• Bob Godfrey was presented the 2020 agInnovation South Excellence in Leadership Award

• Cotton Winter Nursery update – Gary Thompson
• Communications & Marketing Committee update – Jean-Francois Meullenet
  • Roadmap Plan Outline
• ESS Budget Preview Discussion – Gary Thompson

In meeting discussion:

• Cotton Winter Nursery update
  • Met virtually with Don Jones, Cotton Inc., to review both Cotton Winter Nursery and CottonGen history, activities, cost, and budgets
  • Met virtually with Alfronzo Palafox, Operations Manager in Costa Rica
  • Received invoices from both CWN and CottonGen
• Communications & Marketing Committee (CMC) update
  • Consultant group, Forbes-Tate Partners, hired to develop a Strategic Communications Roadmap for the national system
  • Proposal: CMC to become a standing committee of BAA
  • Proposal: A new BAA section to represent agricultural communicators
  • Proposal: BAA hire in-house communications personnel (1.5 FTE)
  • Proposal: CMC request $100,000 per year for CY21 & CY22 from ESS
• ESS Budget Preview Discussion
  • CY19 carryover $92,277; potential carryover CY20 >$124,687
  • Will be asked to vote on CY2021 budget of $70,000
  • Possible additional $100,000 for CMC to be requested in near future
  • Future assessment votes: CMC Assessment to Annual Assessment name; CY21 assessment scenarios – $200,000; $100,000; suspend assessment
• Discussion about establishing a Southern Region Communicators Network. Gary will send out email requesting the name of each station’s communications director.