April 19-22, 1998 Meeting Minutes

Minutes

Southern Association ofAgricultural Experiment Station DirectorsApril 19-22, 1998Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Participants

SAAESD Members
Jerry Arkin, GA
John Beverly, TX
David Boethel, LA
Jim Boling, KY
Jack Britt, NC
Bill Brown, LA
Bob Cannell, VA
Arturo Cedeno, PR
Jerry Cherry, GA
D. C. Coston, OK
Nancy Cox, MS
Larry Crowder, OK
Everett Emino, FL
Jim Fischer, SC
Frank Gilstrap, TX
T.J. Helms, Executive Director
Richard Jones, FL
G. L. Jubb, VA
Fred Knapp, KY
George Kriz, NC
John C. Lee, VA
Jim Marion, AL
David Morrison, LA
Jim Rakocy, VI
Don Richardson, TN
Larry Rogers, LA
C.J. Scifres, AR
Tom Scott, SC
John Ike Sewell, TN
Helen Shaw, NC

David Teem, AL
Neal Thompson, FL
Phil Utley, GA
Vance Watson, MS
Greg Weidemann, AR
Johnny Wynne, NC
Eric Young, NCESCOP Interns
Jacqueline Fletcher, OK
Tom Gerik, TX
Tom Hennessey, OK
Chuck Johnson, VA
David Leatham, TX
David TeBeest, AR
Advisory Committee Representatives
Alan Barkema (AC-7), OK
Sung Lim (AC-11), AR
Ed Miller (AC-13), OK
Other Participants
Bo Beaulieu, SRDC
Chip Blalock, Sunbelt Ag Expo
Roger Breeze, ARS
John Clemens, SC Project Mgt. System
George Cooper, USDA/CSREES
Chuck Onstad, ARS
John Ort, CES
Bill Patten, Sunbelt Ag Expo

General Schedule of Activities

Sunday, April 19
Noon – Registration in Hotel Lobby
5:00 pm – Informal Reception
(Dinner on your own)Monday, April 20
7:00 am – SRRC breakfast meeting
8:00 am – Meeting Begins
12:00 noon – Lunch
4:45 pm – Meeting Adjourns
5:30 pm – Depart for Murrah Building Site
7:00 pm – Depart for Cowboy Hall of Fame
8:00 pm – Dinner
9:30 pm – Depart for Hotel

Tuesday, April 21
7:00 am – Chief Operating Officers Breakfast Meeting
8:00 am – Meeting Begins
11:00 am – Meeting adjourns
11:15 am – Depart for Tour
11:50 am – Lunch
1:10 pm – Tour continues
6:30 pm – Dinner
8:00 pm – Depart for HotelWednesday, April 22
8:00 am – Meeting Begins
11:45 am – Meeting Adjourns

Monday, April 20
Time	Agenda Items
8:00	1.	Introductions and Approval of/Additions to Agenda (R. Jones)
–	2.	Approval of Minutes – SAAESD – June 29, 1997 (R. Jones)
–	3.	Interim Actions of the Chair and Executive Committee (R. Jones)
8:15	4.	Southern Rural Development Center (L. Beaulieu)
8:30	5.	NRSP-4 Update (N. Thompson)
8:45	6.	Sunbelt Ag Expo (C. Blalock and B. Patten)
9:00	7.	Conversations on Change for Professional Societies (J. Fischer)
9:30	–	Break
10:00	8.	Project Management System (J. Fischer/J. Clemens)
12:00	–	Lunch
1:00	9.	ESCOP Environmental Affairs Subcommittee (J. Arkin)
1:15	10.	SRRC Report (J. Britt)
1:30	11.	S-009 Review Team Report and Recommendations (E. Emino and F. Gilstrap)
1:45	12.	Review of Off-the-Top Project Renewals for S-009, NRSP-4, NRSP-7, and NRSP-8 (G. Arkin, N. Thompson, J. Neilson, J. Boling)
2:15	13.	Off-the-Top FY99 Funding Requests (R. Jones) 13a. S-009 Request and Justification (J. Arkin) 13b. NRSP-3 Review Executive Summary (B. Brown)
2:45	14.	Proposed Changes in CRIS (T. Helms)
3:15	–	Break
3:30	15.	AESOP Report (T. Nipp by phone)
3:45	16.	CSREES Report (G. Cooper)
4:15	17.	ARS Report (C. Onstad)
4:45	–	Adjourn
5:30	–	Depart for dinner via site of Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial
Tuesday, April 21
7:00	18.	Chief Operating Officers Meeting – Review Treasurer’s Report and Executive Director’s Budget Request (R. Jones/V. Watson)
8:00	19.	Report of the Executive Director’s 1998-99 Operating Budget (R. Jones)
8:15	20.	Executive Director’s Annual Report (T. Helms)
8:30	21.	Paperless Management of Regional Research (A.M. Rasberry)
8:45	22.	Web Sites for Regional Projects (V. Watson)
9:00	23.	Review Requests for Project Modification (R. Jones)
10:00	–	Break
10:15	24.	CES Report (J. Ort)
10:30	25.	Highlight an AES: Virgin Islands’ Aquaponics Program (J. Rakocy)
11:00	–	Adjourn
11:15	–	Depart for lunch, educational tour, and dinner
Wednesday, April 22
8:00	26.	Southern Regional IPM Committee (S. Jubb) a. SERA-IEG-3 Report (D. Teem)
8:30	27.	Intellectual Property Issuesa. Royalty Distribution (R. Jones) b. Grants and Contracts (L. Rogers)
9:00	28.	Cotton Breeding Policy Committee and Tecoman Nursery (J. Wynne/L. Rogers/T. Helms)
9:15	29.	ESCOP Reports:a. Senior ESCOP Representative / Executive Subcommittee (J. Boling) b. Legislative Subcommittee (J. Boling/J. Beverly) c. Strategic Planning Subcommittee (R. Jones) d. Budget Development Subcommittee (J. Wynne/J. Boling)
10:00	–	Break
10:15	30.	CARET and Other Partner Relationships (D. Richardson)
10:30	31.	Image Enhancement – National and Regional (T. Helms/L. Rogers)
10:45	32.	Nominating Committee Report (C. Coston)
11:00	33.	Resolutions Committee Report (B. Brown)
11:15	34.	Plans for Upcoming Meetings:Summer Mini Land-Grant Meeting (R. Jones) Spring, 1999 Meeting in Kentucky (J. Boling)
11:30	35.	Concluding Remarks, Announcements, and Adjournment (R. Jones)
11:45	–	Adjourn

Agenda Item 1

Introductions and Approval of/Additions to Agenda

Presenter: Richard Jones
BACKGROUND
All members were notified that the agenda brief was available on the SAAESD homepage prior to the meeting. Additions to the agenda will be considered.
ACTION REQUESTED
Discussion, modification as needed and approval.
ACTION TAKEN
As the first item of business, Dr. D. C. Coston, past chair, presented new chair, Richard Jones, with the SAAESD’s official symbol of leadership, a pocket knife. The history of this custom can be read on the Association homepage in the Archive section.
Participants introduced themselves and as listed above representation consisted of 37 SAAESD members, 7 ESCOP Interns, 2 Advisory Committee representatives, and 8 agency representatives and other participants.
There were no additions to the agenda, thus it was approved as presented.

Agenda Item 2

Approval of Minutes – SAAESD – June 29-30, 1997

Presenter: Richard Jones
BACKGROUND
The minutes of the June 29-30, 1997 meeting of the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors were posted on the SAAESD homepage after the meetings. An electronic message was sent to all members to advise that the minutes were available on the web for review.
ACTION REQUESTED
Approval.
ACTION TAKEN
Minutes from the June, 1997 meeting were approved as presented on motion/second by Drs. Kriz/Coston.

Agenda Item 3

Interim Actions of the Chair and Executive Committee

Presenter: Richard Jones
BACKGROUND
The following Interim Actions were taken by the Chair and Executive Committee on behalf of the association.

Sent thank-you letters to hosts, program chairs, and speakers for the Summer 97 Mini Land-Grant meeting.
Sent letter of opposition to ESCOP and EPA regarding proposed EPA regulation of plants as pesticides.
Notified CSREES of approval of proposed renewals of NRSP1, NRSP3, and NRSP6.
Appointed Dr. Vance Watson to serve as liaison to Association of Seed Certification Agencies.
Appointed Dr. Jerry Cherry as Administrative Adviser to DC97-13, “Development of New Processes and Technologies for the Processing of Poultry Products.”
Appointed Dr. Frank Gilstrap to replace Dr. Larry Crowder as member of the Regional IPM Policy Committee.
Appointed Dr. Frank Gilstrap to replace Dr. Everett Emino as member of the Southern Regional Research Committee (SRRC).
Appointed Dr. Nancy Cox to replace Dr. D. C. Coston as member of the Southern Regional Research Committee (SRRC).
Appointed Dr. David Teem as member of the 1998 Resolutions Committee.
Appointed Dr. Bill Brown as Chair of the 1998 Resolutions Committee.
Appointed Dr. Jim Boling to continue as member of the Southern Rural Development Center Advisory Board.
Letter to CSREES requesting approval of “Mineralogical Controls on Colloid Dispersion and Solid-Phase Speciation of Soil Contaminants(DC96-01/S-207) as a regional project upon recommendation by SRRC.
Letter to CSREES requesting approval of “Dynamic Soybean Insect Management for Emerging Agricultural Technologies and Variable Environments ” (DC97-10/S-255) as a regional project upon recommendation by SRRC.
Letter to CSREES requesting approval of “Managing Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Sustainable Agriculture with Emphasis on Crop Resistance” (DC96-04/S253) as a regional project upon recommendation by SRRC.
Approved Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin #385 for “Behavior and Fate of Selected Sulfonylurea and Imadazolinone Herbicides in the Southern Environment” originating from S-215.
Approved Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin #386 for “Preservation and Utilization of Germplasm in Cotton: 1981-1992” originating from S-077.
Approved Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin #387 for “Microsporidia (Protozoa): A Handbook of Biology and Research Techniques” originating from S-265.
Approved Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin #388 for “Mineralogy and Charge Properties of Readily-Dispersible Colloidal Fractions from Selected Soils and Sediments of the Southern Region” originating from S-207.
Letter of appreciation to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) for endorsing passage of U.S. Senate Bill 1150, the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1997.
Letter of appreciation to outgoing SAAESD Chair, D.C. Coston.
Appointed Dr. Marty Fuller to replace Dr. Graham Purchase as Technical Advisor to the Southern Aquaculture Center Board of Directors.
Appointed Dr. Johnny Wynne as a Southern representative on the ESCOP FY2000 Budget Development Subcommittee.
Reappointed Dr. John Neilson as Administrative Adviser to NRSP-7, “A National Agriculture Program to Approve Animal Drugs for Minor Species and Uses”, replacing Dr. John C. Lee.
Appointed Dr. John C. Lee to replace Dr. Graham Purchase as Administrative Advisor for IEG-3, “Animal Disease Research.”
Appointed Dr. Tom Klindt to replace Dr. D. C. Coston as the SAAESD representative to the Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program.
Appointed Dr. Eric Young to replace Dr. Ken Koonce as the Southern Region’s Administrative Advisor for NRSP-1, “Research Planning Using the Current Research Information System.”
Appointed Dr. Michael E. Salassi to replace Dr. Ken Koonce as Administrative Advisor to IEG-70, “Economics and Management of Risk in Agriculture and Natural Resources.”
Appointed Dr. R. Larry Rogers as member of the Joint Cotton Breeding Policy Committee to replace Dr. Alan Jones.
Letter of appreciation to Ted Bauer of CRIS for positive changes in the CRIS website making it more user-friendly.
Letter to Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) supporting a coordinated fire ant management plan and recommending appointment of Drs. Richard Jones and William Lambert to the Technical Advisory Board of the SLC Fire Ant Task Force.
Letter to CSREES requesting approval of “Genetic Enhancement of Health and Survival for Dairy Cattle,” (DC97-08/S-251) as a regional project upon recommendation by SRRC.
Letter to CSREES requesting approval of “Develop and Assess Precision Farming Technology and Its Economic and Environmental Impacts,” (DC96-03/S-252) as a regional project upon recommendation by SRRC.
Approved Cooperative Series Bulletin, “Soil Testing for Phosphorus: Environmental Uses and Implications,” a publication of SERA-IEG 17.
Appointed Dr. James Boling to replace Dr. Dan Smith as Administrative Advisor to S-278, “Food Demand, Nutrition and Consumer Behavior.”
Appointed Dr. Tom Klindt to replace Dr. Dan Smith as Administrative Advisor to AC-7, “Agricultural Economics Advisory Committee.”
Appointed Dr. Albert E. Smith to replace Dr. Gerald Arkin as Administrative Advisor to SERA-IEG 11, “Review and Coordination of Oilseed Rape Research Programs in the Southern Region.”
Letter to Fund for Rural America Grant Selection Committee supporting the Rural Community Consortium proposal.
Authorized DC98-01, “Developing Genetic Resources for Cotton Improvement” with Dr. Johnny Wynne serving as Administrative Adviser.
Authorized DC98-02, “Management of Rice Wetlands for Mosquito Control” with Dr. Fred Knapp serving as Administrative Adviser.
Authorized DC98-03, “Systems for Controlling Air Pollutant Emissions and Indoor Environments of Poultry and Livestock Facilities”with Dr. George Kriz serving as Administrative Adviser.
Authorized DC98-04, “Assessing Impacts of Welfare Reform on Individual, Family and Community Well-Being: A Focus on the Rural South” with Dr. Bill Brown serving as Administrative Adviser.
Letter to CSREES requesting approval of “Reproductive Performance of Turkeys” (DC97-03/S-213) as a regional project upon recommendation by SRRC.

ACTION REQUESTED
Approval
ACTION TAKEN
Interim Actions were approved as presented on motion/second by Drs. Coston/Kriz.

Agenda Item 4

Southern Rural Development Center

Presenters: L.J. “Bo” Beaulieu
BACKGROUND

SRDC Board of Directors Meeting Update
- Appointment of Susan Jenkins to Board
- Chester Fehlis (Texas A & M University) elected Chair; Vance Watson (Mississippi State University) elected Chair-elect.
- Approval of SRDC Priority Goals
- Restructuring of Technical Advisory Committee
Research-Related Initiatives of the SRDC
- Organizing of Southern Rural Development Consortium
- Informing Land-Grant Faculty of Extramural Funding Opportunities
- Addressing Critical Rural Development Issues
  - Welfare Reform
    - Southern Research Development Committee
    - Information Brief Series
    - Southern Perspectives Newsletter
  - Labor Force Supply/Demand Mismatch in the Rural South
    - Research Conference
    - Non-college Bound Youth Study
- Grant Activities
  - State Rural Development Councils/Land-Grant Research Project
  - ERS Food Assistance Research Project
  - Fund for Rural America Center Grant

ACTION REQUESTD
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
Upon request of Dr. Beaulieu, the SAAESD suggested three individuals and three alternates from the region to participate in the SRDC’s Technical Advisory Committee. The three discipline areas represented are Rural Sociology, Ag. Economics, and Human Sciences. On behalf of the SAAESD’s representatives on the SRDC Board of Directors, Jim Boling, presented names for suggested committee members. Suggested members are: L. Garkovich (KY), P. Monroe (LA), and G. Doeksen (OK). Suggested alternates are: R. Harris (KY), C. Solheim (AL), and M. Henry (SC). On motion/second by Drs. Boling/Coston, these recommendations were approved.

Agenda Item 5

NRSP-4 (IR-4) Update

Presenter: Neal Thompson
BACKGROUND
Dr. Richard Guest, current and retiring Executive Director of IR-4, will be presenting an update of IR-4 plans particularly in response to the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
Dr. Guest reported that a new director will soon be named for the IR-4 program which has undergone a CSREES peer review in fall, 1997. Copies of the 1997 Annual Report, The IR-4 Project Strategy Report, and the Report of the Review Committee were distributed. (Copies available from ED office). Reports will be available on the IR-4 website by the end of May, 1998.

Agenda Item 6

Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition

Presenters: Chip Blalock and Bill Patten
BACKGROUND
Charles W. “Chip” Blalock, Director, and Bill Patten, Governing Board Member, will present an update of activities of the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition. Last year’s three day event (its 20^th annual Expo) attracted an estimated 205,000 people to view exhibits by 1136 exhibitors representing every state in the nation and 15 foreign countries. In addition, several hundred acres of field crops and forages were exhibited.
The Sunbelt Expo is making plans for this year’s event on October 20-22, 1998, in Moultrie, Georgia. Presenters will discuss the opportunities for Land-Grant Institutions to be an integral part of this upcoming Agricultural Exposition.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
Southern Directors were invited to participate in a Land-Grant University Spotlight Tent during the Sunbelt Ag. Expo. About 30-40 spaces (8×10) will be available on first-come basis. Five southern states already participate in this event. A brochure was distributed and additional information will be mailed in May.

Agenda Item 7

Conversations on Change for Professional Societies

Presenter: Jim Fischer
BACKGROUND
Conversations on Change, a program sponsored by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), is in its third year having begun in 1995 with support from the Kellogg Foundation, Farm Foundation and others. Approximately forty professional societies were represented in October 1995 when Phase I of the program was begun to discuss the role of professional societies in developing and implementing changes related to the professional environment in which we live and work. In five working groups, they are 1) establishing networks, 2) recognizing skills and accomplishments, 3) reaching out in communication, 4) exploring learning opportunities, and 5) capturing synergy. The program’s vision is to connect professional societies to one another and to the workplace. Dr. Fischer will highlight results of Phase I, II and III, particularly as related to professional portfolio development.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
Prior to his presentation on Conversations on Change, Dr. Fischer distributed an agenda and registration information for a Workshop entitled “Agricultural Biotechnology and Environmental Quality: Gene Escape and Pest Resistance” to be held in Greenville, SC on May 31- June 2, 1998.
Dr. Fischer’s presentation showed an overview of the Conversations on Change program with particular emphasis on the changing ideas of a what a professional portfolio should include and the benefits of such a portfolio. Particular headings for inclusion are: skills, goals, values, service, growth as an individual, achievements, and attributes.

Agenda Item 8

Project Management System

Presenters: Jim Fischer and John Clemens
BACKGROUND
Accountability takes many forms and can reside at many levels within an organization. If an organization strives to be truly accountable, it must incorporate this philosophy within as many levels of its organization as is possible. At Clemson, we are attempting to do just that.
In our attempt to become more accountable, we are using “new technologies” that will enable us to (1) show the public and/or governments what we do and what benefits will be achieved, (2) better manage our research activities in order for us to make better decisions as to how we may focus our activities to better serve our stakeholders, and (3) assist the faculty, in every way possible, to better achieve their goals and responsibilities and to have their accomplishments better recognized by both the administration and the public.
Dr. Fischer will introduce the Clemson model and explain how it was developed and why. John Clemens will illustrate the “new technologies” and present the details on how each “new technology” works to accomplish its purpose and what are the expected outcomes. The “Clemson Research Management System” will be the basis for the presentation with references to the “Faculty Professional Home Page” and “S.C. Growing!” – the other components of our accountability systems.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information and discussion.
ACTION TAKEN
The presentation was well received and generated discussions of other systems and various components which offer ways to manage research portfolios. Dr. Scifres suggested that the association sponsor a semi-annual or annual workshop on various Data Management Systems in order for directors to see how other systems are being utilized. It was further suggested that a workshop might be presented during the upcoming Directors Workshop in September in Kansas City, MO.

Agenda Item 9

ESCOP Environmental Affairs Subcommittee

Presenter: Jerry Arkin
BACKGROUND
The ESCOP Environmental Affairs Subcommittee has through its partnership with CSREES (called SUNEI) aggressively engaged other federal agencies and initiated an array of collaborative activities that are supporting SAES research programs. SAES Directors, through an assessment, provided funding for this initiative for two years. After two years the initiative was to be reviewed and a decision made whether it should be continued. ESCOP, at its last meeting, asked the Environmental Affairs Subcommittee to prepare a proposal for extending this initiative. The proposal is to be submitted to the ESCOP Executive Committee for consideration when it meets in Tucson, AZ, 14-15 April. If approved by the Executive Committee, the proposal will be submitted to ESCOP for consideration at its July meeting.
A summary of SUNEI highlight activities follows.

Coordinated frequent and regular meetings with representatives of OSTP, NSF, EPA, DOE and NASA to learn of program opportunities, advocate for the capacity of the SAES System and arrange technical discussions with faculty and administrators.
Convened meetings of SUNEI and NASA’s Office of Earth Science (OES) [formerly The Office of Mission to Planet Earth] personnel to explore collaborative opportunities and stimulate NASA’s current requests for proposals on agricultural/natural resources applications for geospatial data.
Facilitated collaboration between EPA, NSF and USDA on a $9 million competitive research grants program on water and watersheds for FY98.
Initiated a USDA partnership on a $5 million interagency competitive grants programs for FY 98 with NOAA, EPA, NSF, NASA and ONR to address harmful algal blooms, red tides, hypoxia and Pfiesteria.
Updated EPA-ORD on regional research projects in the environmental arena and provided reviewer names for competitive grant programs. Also, updated DOE on SAES climate change research projects.
Represented the environmental and natural resource interests of SAES at meetings and conferences where appropriate (e.g., Utah State Remote Sensing Conference, Regional Climate Change Meetings, NASULGC-USGS Working Group, USDA Coordinating Committees, CSREES).
Assisted the U.S. Global Climate Change Research Program (USGCRP) and other White House’s Climate Change personnel by identifying key researchers for participation on interagency projects and workshops.
Maintain WWW SUNEI home page.
Reported SUNEI activities to regional environmental projects (e.g., NCS-5, NEREAP-1), the NASULGC Water Quality Task Force, the NASULGC-EPA Task Force, the CFERR Legislative Affairs Committee and the Forestry Research Advisory Council (FRAC).
Distributed regular communications about research, meetings, funding opportunities, conferences, professional development activities, etc., to the SAES System.
Assisted with writing research/education proposals when opportunities arise (e.g. NASA-OES application of geospatial data and Mid-Atlantic nutrient management).
Brought scientists together with NASA to discuss geospatial tools and applications for natural resources, the environment, precision agriculture, etc.
Convened several interagency planning meetings to develop the program for the EPA-LGU-NASA-USDA Summit Meeting in June 1998 on improving local environmental decision-making.
Helped NASA-OES and USDA develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the interagency workgroup on geospatial technologies.
Conveyed environmental concerns and research priorities of the SAES to policy makers at CSREES and REE.
Outreached to other groups as an advocate for the SAES environmental and natural resource system by exhibiting at trade shows and scientific meetings (e.g., National Marketplace for the Environment, American Farm Bureau Federation and American Society of Agronomy).
Promoted SAES research projects to other agencies within and outside UDSA (e.g. coordinated a meeting between USDA, NEMO, EPA, NOAA, NASA, SUNEI, Land, Sea and Space Grant Institutions to discuss the expansion of NEMO as a model for a national land-use planning program).
Working with the NASA Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) to inform researchers and extension personnel about DAAC’s capacity for remote sensing data storage, manipulation, utilization and opportunities for collaboration.
Provide a quick and simple entry for environmental and natural resource agencies to communicate with and learn about the Agricultural Experiment Stations

As a result of these activities, recent EPA and NASA RFPs target agriculture issues have been crafted to encourage SAES submissions. SAES scientists are being invited to review EPA and NASA competitive grant proposals and participate in technical planning activities. SAES scientists, as a result of these planning activities, are submitting solicited and unsolicited grant proposals to heretofore unknown or unavailable venues in these agencies.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information and discussion.
ACTION TAKEN
Dr. Arkin reported that the current assessment level for Experiment Stations is $150,000 but that only $130,000 is actually received due to some stations not participating in the initiative. The Committee will recommend to ESCOP an extension of the initiative to 2003 with a total assessment over the 5-year period of $450,000.

Agenda Item 10

SRRC Report

Presenter: Jack Britt
BACKGROUND
The Southern Regional Research Committee presents the following report of activities:
Projects reviewed by SRRC, submitted to Chair of SAAESD and approved by CSREES.

Research Planning Using the Current Research Information System

Administrative Advisor: Eric Young

Old project number: NRSP-1

Development committee number: N/A

Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD: 7/15/97

New project number: NRSP-1

Food Demand, Nutrition and Consumer Behavior

Administrative Advisor: Daniel B. Smith

Old project number: S-216

Development committee number: DC96-02

Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD: 7/17/97

New project number: S-278

Mineralogical Controls on Colloid Dispersion and Solid-Phase Speciation of Soil Contaminants

Administrative Advisor: Eric Young

Old project number: S-207

Development committee number: DC96-01

Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD: 9/26/97

New project number: S-280

Managing Plant-parasitic Nematodes in Sustainable Agriculture with Emphasis on Crop Resistance

Administrative Advisor: Fred Knapp

Old project number: S-253

Development committee number: DC96-04

Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD: 10/31/97

New project number: S-282

Dynamic Soybean Insect Management for Emerging Agricultural Technologies and Variable Environments

Administrative Advisor: Philip R. Utley

Old project number: S-255

Development committee number: DC97-10

Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD: 11/5/97

New project number: S-281

Development and Assessment of Precision Farming Technology and Its Economic and Environmental Impacts

Administrative Advisor: John I. Sewell

Old project number: S-252

Development committee number: DC96-03

Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD: 12/15/97

New project number: S-283

Genetic Enhancement of Health and Survival for Dairy Cows

Administrative Advisor: Don O. Richardson

Old project number: S-251

Development committee number: DC97-08

Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD: 12/16/97

New project number: S-284

Projects reviewed by SRRC, submitted to Chair of SAAESD and pending approval by CSREES.

A National Agricultural Program to Clear Pest Control Agents for Minor Uses

Administrative Advisor: Neal Thompson

Old project number: NRSP-4

Development committee number: N/A

Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD: 1/29/98

New project number: Pending

Minor Use Animal Drugs

Administrative Advisor: J. T. Neilson

Old project number: NRSP-7

Development committee number: N/A

Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD: 3/20/98

New project number: Pending

Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization

Administrative Advisor: Gerald Arkin

Old project number: S-009

Development committee number: DC97-12

Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD: 4/3/98

New project number: Pending

Reproductive Performance of Turkeys

Administrative Advisor: Jerry Cherry

Old project number: S-213

Development committee number: DC97-03

Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD: 4/4/98

New project number: Pending

National Animal Genome Research Program

Administrative Advisor: Jim Boling

Old project number: NRSP-8

Development committee number: N/A

Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD: 4/3/98

New project number: Pending

Projects currently under review by SRRC.

Herbicide Persistence in Southern Soils: Bioavailable Concentration and Effect on

Sensitive Rotational Crops
Administrative Advisor: C. J. Scifres
Old project number: S-254
Development committee number: DC97-09
Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD:
New project number: Pending

Development of New Processes and Technologies for the Processing of Poultry Products

Administrative Advisor: J. A. Cherry

Old project number: N/A

Development committee number: DC97-13

Date submitted to Chair of SAAESD:

New project number: Pending

ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
Prior to the SAAESD meeting, the SRRC was asked to develop guidelines for external review of new regional research projects. Proposed guidelines were presented and on a motion/second by Drs. Scifres/Kriz the guidelines were adopted. These new guidelines are included in the Association’s Operational Guidelines as an attachment in the “Process and Procedures” section or can be viewed via this link.

Agenda Item 11

Review of Southern Region Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit and Related S-009 Plant Germplasm Project

Presenters: Everett Emino and Frank Gilstrap
BACKGROUND
At the request of SAAESD, a review of the Southern Region Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit and related S-009 Plant Germplasm Project was conducted in August, 1997. The review team was comprised of Everett Emino, Frank Gilstrap, and David Knauft (substituting for Johnny Wynne). The review team presented its draft report with recommendations (as outlined below in Action Requested) to the Executive Committee in February, 1998.
Discussion resulted in a letter being sent from the chair of the Association to Floyd Horn, ARS Administrator, with copy of the draft report. One issue addressed in the letter was the association’s concern of the rumored move of the Unit from Griffin to Athens. ARS’ current position and timelines for any decisions on this issue were requested. The letter further outlines recommendations within the report concerning the importance of the role that curators play in the success of a contemporary plant genetic resource conservation program. Also indicated is the need for greater leadership from the current curators in developing priorities and initiating actions in their respective crops, stating that the curators should be encouraged to incorporate molecular genomics into their crop characterization data base. To facilitate the latter, the report recommends the addition of a curator position with expertise in molecular genomics.
ACTION REQUESTED
Adoption of report and approval of recommendations as follows:

SAAESD increase its support of the S-009 Southern Region Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit by $200,000 for a total of $450,000;
Addition of a new curator position at the Unit who is skilled in molecular genomics;
Significantly increase leadership from the current curators in developing priorities and initiating actions in respective crop genetics; and
Decision on the proposal to move the Griffin Unit to Athens.

ACTION TAKEN
On motion/second by Drs. Emino/Scifres, the report was accepted.

Agenda Item 12

Off-the-Top Projects Requesting Renewal:

S-009, NRSP-4, NRSP-7, NRSP-8

Presenters: Project Administrative Advisers
(S-009/Arkin, NRSP-4/Thompson, NRSP-7/Neilson, NRSP-8/Boling)
BACKGROUND
Per association policy enacted during the spring, 1997 meeting, the full body of Southern Directors must review any off-the-top projects requesting renewal. Four such projects are terminating in September, 1998 and are thus requesting renewal. These four projects have completed the normal review process with the Southern Regional Research Committee recommending approved renewal of each. Projects requesting renewal are:

S-009: Plant Genetic Resource Conservation and Utilization
NRSP-4: A National Agricultural Program to Clear Pest Control Agents for Minor Uses
NRSP-7: A National Agriculture Program to Approve Animal Drugs for Minor Species and Uses
NRSP-8: National Animal Genome Research Program

ACTION REQUESTED
Approval to renew projects for five year period 10/1/98 – 9/30/03.
ACTION TAKEN
S-009 renewal was approved based on motion/second by Drs. Coston/Rogers.
NRSP-4 renewal was approved based on motion/second by Drs. Coston/Cherry.
NRSP-7 renewal was approved based on motion/second by Drs. Coston/Scifres.
NRSP-8 renewal was approved based on motion/second by Drs. Coston/Scifres.

Agenda Item 13

Off-the-Top Funding Requests for FY ’99

Presenters: Administrative Advisers for Off-the-Top Projects
BACKGROUND
The following off-the-top funding requests for FY99 will be considered by the association with one vote per state determining the SAAESD’s recommendation.

Act. #(Adviser)	Title	FY 98Approved	FY99Requested*
S-009G. Arkin	Plant Genetic Resource Conservation and Utilization(see Agenda Item 13a. below)	$261,180	$274,357
NRSP-1E. Young	Research Planning Using the Current Research Information System (CRIS)	$219,398	$219,398
NRSP-2	National Planning and Coordination	n/a	n/a
NRSP-3B. Brown	The National Atmospheric Deposition Program – Long Term Monitoring Program in Support of Research of Effects of Atmospheric Chemical Deposition (see Agenda Item 13b. below)	$109,719	$113,011
NRSP-4N. Thompson	A National Agricultural Program to Clear Pest Control Agents for Minor Uses	$482,243	$482,243
NRSP-5D.C. Coston	Develop and Distribute Deciduous Fruit Tree Clones Free of Virus and Virus-like Agents	$232,086	$275,822
NRSP-6E. Young	Introduction, Preservation, Classification, Distribution and Evaluation of Solanum Species	$151,196	$161,917
NRSP-7J. Neilson	A National Agriculture Program to Approve Animal Drugs for Minor Species and Uses	n/a	n/a
NRSP-8J. Boling	National Animal Genome Research Program	$374,300	$380,000

*Caveat used in 1997: Using FY 1997 funding as a base for comparison, the Association approves FY 1998 funding at the level requested or a percentage change the same as the change in Hatch funding, whichever is smaller.
ACTION REQUESTED
Approval.
ACTION TAKEN
S-009: On motion/second by Drs. Scifres/Marion, requested funding of $274,357 was approved subject to caveat as stated below*. A motion/second by Drs. Emino/Gilstrap was defeated (3 yes/9 no/3 abstaining) to increase funding by $200,000 per Review Team’s recommendation. A subsequent motion/second by Drs. Wynne/Coston was approved to increase requested amount by $50,000 (within caveat) to support one technician and supplies. Thus the total funding approved for FY99 is $324,357.
NRSP-1: On motion/second by Drs. Richardson/Scifres, requested funding of $219,398 was approved subject to caveat as stated below*.
NRSP-3: On motion/second by Drs. Scifres/Wynne, requested funding of $113,011 was approved subject to caveat as stated below*.
NRSP-4: On motion/second by Drs. Scifres/Rogers, requested funding of $482,243 was approved subject to caveat as stated below*.
NRSP-5: On motion/second by Drs. Crowder/Boling, requested funding of $275,822 was approved subject to caveat as stated below*.
NRSP-6: A motion/second by Drs. Young/Boling for funding was rejected. An additional motion/second by Drs. Scifres/Cherry requesting that an on-site review be conducted by CSREES was approved. The Executive Director was asked to transmit this decision to the lead administrative adviser of NRSP-6.
NRSP-8: On motion/second by Drs. Scifres/Richardson, requested funding of $380,000 was approved subject to caveat as stated below*.
*CAVEAT: Using FY1998 funding as a base for comparison, the Association approves FY1999 funding at the level requested or a percentage change the same as the change in Hatch funding, whichever is smaller.
In followup discussions, Dr. Boling called attention to the Food Genome Initiative, which reflects a new title omitting the word agriculture. Concerns were expressed that agricultural entities such as horses, cotton, etc. might be dropped from the initiative if wording were not changed to be more inclusive. On a motion/second by Drs. Scifres/Weidemann, the association asked the Executive Director to draft a resolution for each state to send to their representatives requesting that the title of the initiative be broadened from food to agriculture. It was requested that a copy of the resolution also be sent to Dr. Richard Lower.

Agenda Item 13a.

S-009 Funding Request

Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization

Presenter: Jerry Arkin
SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE PAST FISCAL YEAR (1998)
Genetic resources representing 488 new accessions were received, increasing the Unit holdings to in excess of 79,000. New introductions represented a broad range of seven families, forty genera, and sixty-seven species. More than 4,500 regenerations were accomplished at Griffin or through cooperators across various sites. In response to 810 requests, 37,265 items (corms, in-vitro, plants, rhizomes, and seed) were distributed with 92% being supplied to domestic users. This amount accounted for more than 19% of all the distributions made by the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) in FY97 and is an approximately 22% increase over the average for the past four years. Twenty oligomers were distributed as molecular markers to profile (“type”) accessions and map useful characteristics. In complement more than 152,400 records were created and more than 140,700 records were modified to enhance the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database. To support appropriate backup, 13,077 accessions representing 23 families, 64 genera, and 262 species were processed and shipped to the National Seed Storage Laboratory. This effort to back up collections at Fort Collins accounted for approximately 56% of all the material processed in the entire NPGS in FY97.
In collaboration with crop experts, evaluation studies were conducted on morphological and agronomic/horticultural traits in forage legumes, cucurbits, watermelon, peanuts, cowpeas, oil crops, grasses, sorghum, okra, and eggplant. Associated characterizations were conducted in all regenerations by all curators.
Over the past four years, more than 122,000 seed packets, cuttings, tissue culture, corms, and rhizomes were distributed to public- and private-sector scientists. Eighty-five percent of the distributions were made to researchers in the U.S. These requested and evaluated genetic resources included traits used for incorporating disease resistance, insect resistance, and quality factors to recently released lines of sorghum, peanut, watermelon, cowpea, grasses, and pepper among other commodities. Documentation of these desirable traits and other related characters can be accessed through the GRIN.
Various genetic analysis techniques (PCR-based), i.e., RFLPs, RAPDs, AFLPs, and SSRs, are being applied to establish genetic identity, relatedness, and structure of accessions held in ex situ plant genetic resources repositories in the U.S. (work focused on holdings from Griffin, Mayaquez, Ames, Miami, and Geneva). Based on our experiences to date, we have improved efficiency, simplified protocols, increased the level of automation, and decreased the unit costs of each assay. This genetic analysis is conducted in collaboration with Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Perkin-Elmer, AgraTech Seeds, and Linkage Genetics. At present, in cooperation with scientists in the U.S. and the CGIAR Centers efforts are underway to employ molecular techniques to characterize core collections in sorghum, seashore paspalum, and peanut.
Significant infrastructure improvements were achieved during 1997. The renovation and installation of a self-contained walk-in dual compartment cold storage unit was completed in the Seed Storage Building. Installation of the local area network was completed connecting seven buildings through fiber optic cable. It is a fifty-user network giving the entire Unit access to the Internet, E-mail, and the GRIN. A backup generator was purchased to run all cold storage rooms in the event of a power failure.
SUMMARY OF PROJECTED PLANS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR (1999)
Continued emphasis will be placed on regeneration, backup, and documentation efforts. Molecular marker development research will focus on applications in the sorghum, peanut, sweet potato, and vegetable crops collections. Pathology research will center on characterization and assay development for viruses of legumes. We plan FY98 accession regenerations to be greater than 5,000 with the increased use of facilities at Byron, Georgia. In particular, emphasis will be placed on peanut and vegetable crops.
Back-up and documentation efforts will be maintained at the level of effort of FY97. Our intent is to have a complete back-up of Griffin materials at Fort Collins by FY99 or FY00.
Genetic analysis research will continue to focus on both marker discovery and application in FY98. Emphasis will be placed on major crop collections (including sorghum, grasses, vegetable crops, sweet potato, and peanut) at Griffin.
FUNDING REQUEST FOR FY99
A. S-009

	FY 97	FY 98	REQUESTED FY 99
Personnel	$207,187	$219,618	$232,795*
Travel	500	500	500
Operations	39,062	39,062	39,062
Equipment	2,000	2,000	2,000
TOTAL	$248,749	$261,180	$274,357

*This category includes an average 6% increase in salaries based on projections established by the University of Georgia.
B. USDA/ARS

	FY 97	FY98	PLANNED FY 99
Personnel	$1,041,938	$1,051,402	$1,051,402
Travel	18,000	9,000	9,000
Operation	478,104	454,985	454,985
Equipment	5,000	3,000	3,000
Construction	0	0	0
Transfer of Funds(Services rendered)	60,385	47,140	47,140
TOTAL	$1,603,427	$1,565,527	$1,565,527

Agenda Item 13b.

NRSP-3

National Atmospheric Deposition Program

Presenter: Bill Brown
EXECUTIVE SUMMARYAdministrative and Technical ReviewOn January 26-28, 1998, a CSREES-sponsored review of National Research Support Project No. 3, (NRSP-3), known familiarly as NADP, was held in the newly-formed NADP Program Office at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS). Prior to October 1, 1997, the coordination activities of NADP resided at Colorado State University, and the precipitation chemical analyses were done at ISWS in the NADP Central Analytical Laboratory (CAL). Effective October 1, responsibility for NADP coordination moved to ISWS, resulting in the consolidation of program coordination, data management, and overall quality assurance, as well as chemical analytical, site support, arid data validation services. The timing of this review was ideal, in that the merger was well-underway, and Review Team guidance and recommendations could help shape and further strengthen the realigned program.
As stated in the Charge to the Review Team, the purpose of this review was: .. “an objective and impartial assessment of the relevance, accomplishments, Technical Committee organization, and need for further strengthening the NRSP-3) project. The Team should evaluate the extent to which NRSP-3 is positioned to achieve the goals and objectives set forth in the NRSP-3 Project Outline: the current organization, relevance ofsubnetworks to current and future national and regional issues, and scientific areas in need of additional emphasis“.
It is the overall assessment of the Review Team that NADP (NRSP-3) is an outstanding project with an impeccable record of technical achievement in support of research and is positioned to provide even greater service to science and technology and regulatorv interests.
The evaluation was based on six Issues in the Charge to the Review Team, plus a seventh issue added by the Team in the course of the review. The abbreviated Issues and evaluations are as follows:
Issue 1: Is the NADP satisfactorily achieving the NRSP-3 goal: to provide the scientific community, resource managers, and policy makers with high quality information…?
NADP has been successful in providing high quality information to the scientific, resource management, and policy development communities, and furthermore, has demonstrated its potential to provide the scientific community, resource managers, and policy makers with relevant atmospheric deposition information. The extent to which this information is utilized by these groups is variable and difficult to document. NADP information enables a significant amount of research and has contributed to important regional and national assessments, and discussions by policy makers. Our recommendations generally address the issues of increasing the utilization of current NADP products and services and creating an environment in which the NADP can respond to new issues raised by scientists, resource managers, and policy makers.
Issue 2: What is the likelihood that the NADP will satisfactorily achieve the NRSP-3 objectives (i.e., provide a national framework for collecting and disseminating quality assured … data to characterize spatial and temporal trends and support various research support activities?)
The Team believes that NADP will be successful in collecting and distributing quality-assured atmospheric deposition data relevant to its principal program objectives, namely to (1) characterize geographic patterns and temporal trends in chemical deposition, and (2) support a variety of research activities The project’s strength lies in a robust infrastructure supported by capable and dedicated personnel. The project’s past successes in collecting and disseminating high quality deposition data and adapting to new research interests in the scientific community provide ample evidence of the ability of the program to continue to accomplish its principal objectives into the future.
Issue 3: What is the quality, value, and utility and variety of NADP scientific “products” and accomplishments…?
The products of NADP, in the form of data, data reports and summaries, maps, brochures, technical publications, and Web page, have been well-conceived and are invaluable in conveying the results of the NADP to its many users.
Issue 4a: Is the NADP organizational structure efficient and effective in carrying out the mission of the NADP (including the Executive Committee, Budget Advisory Committee, Technical Committee and Program Office)?
It is the opinion of the Team that the organizational structure is efficient and effective in carrying out the mission of the NADP.
Issue 4b: Are the scientific, administrative, and management decision making procedures and guidelines adequate to accomplish the NADP objectives?
The Review Team believes that the decision making procedures and guidelines are adequate to accomplish NADP objectives.
Sub-issue: How complimentary are the NADP subnetworks, the Atmospheric Integrated Research Monitoring Network (AIRMoN) and the Mercury Deposition Network (MDN)?
In the opinion of the Team, the AIRMoN and MDN programs are extremely complementary to the NADP program.
Issue 5: Is NADP adequately “marketing” its products? Is NADP “visible” and are its capabilities apparent to others…?
The NADP has prepared an excellent set of “marketing” materials for distribution. Those such as the annual deposition summary, “Inside Rain”, and the NADP brochure are particularly lay-person friendly and serve as good marketing tools for a broad audience with varying degrees of expertise. Further visibility and utility of NADP products can be achieved by expanding the number and type of organizations which currently benefit or can benefit from NADP data and other related NADP products. (The full evaluation includes an appendicised Communication and Marketing Strategy for consideration by the NADP Program Office and the NADP committees).
Issue 6: Is NADP sufficiently flexible to adapt its long-term monitoring expertise to future environmental problems such as nutrient loadings, environmental toxics, and atmospheric deposition in urban areas?
The NADP has demonstrated a clear awareness of needs for preservation and protection of natural resources and a nascent flexibility to adapt its long-term monitoring expertise to environmental problems. This is illustrated by the program’s effective function as an organizational platform for the USGS herbicide study and the timely incorporation of the Mercury Deposition Network as a subnetwork of the NADP.
Issue 7: Is the NADP working towards the accomplishment of its original vision? Is there a vision for the future?
As discussed in previous sections, the NADP has done an excellent job in adhering to and fulfilling its current vision. The NADP has given some thought to the future, but more so on the short term. The Team recommends that additional effort be directed towards time lines of 5, 10, and 20 years.

Agenda Item 14

Proposed Changes in CRIS

Presenter: T. J. Helms
BACKGROUND
The CRIS Enhancement Task Group which began in 1996 has submitted its final report of activities and recommendations to CSREES. The recommendations of the Task Group on Classification and Taxonomy will be presented.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
Dr. Helms briefly highlighted the new structure of CRIS classification and taxonomy as suggested by the CRIS Enhancement Task Group. A handout was distributed. (Copy available in ED office). The protocol for transferring classification of projects already in the system to the new classification schemes has not yet been confirmed. It is anticipated that a crosswalk will enable automatic conversions with opportunity then for stations to confirm the new classification codings.

Agenda Item 15

AESOP Report

Presenter: Terry Nipp
BACKGROUND
Dr. Nipp will discuss activities of AESOP Enterprises.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
Dr. Nipp gave an update (via teleconference) on current activities with Congress including pending passage of the Senate Conference Report (S.1150) for the REE Bill, appropriations which are anticipated in mid May, and discussions of the Food Genome issue. (Dr. Nipp’s opinion is that this title is changeable — to include the word agriculture — and that each state notifying their respective legislators is a worthwhile endeavor).

Agenda Item 16

CSREES Report

Presenter: George Cooper
BACKGROUND
Dr. Cooper will provide an update on CSREES issues and activities.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN

A handout was distributed (copy available in ED office) showing current organization structure of the agency, including name, e-mail, phone, and fax numbers of Administrators, Deputy Administrators, and Directors.
Dr. Cooper asked that comments on the December 8 memo from his office regarding submission/start dates for regional projects be submitted to the Executive Director.
Information on the Office of Pest Management will be sent electronically to all directors from Dr. Cooper’s office.
A brief report on the progress of the move towards Paperless Management of Regional Research was given indicating that the CRIS staff is developing plans for electronic submission of documents.

Agenda Item 17

ARS Report

Presenter: Chuck Onstad
BACKGROUND
The following report is submitted from USDA-Agricultural Research Service for the following areas: Southern Plains Area, Mid South Area, and South Atlantic Area.
High Priority Areas
The President’s Budget submitted to Congress in early 1998 provides an indication of ARS’ high priorities based on the areas proposed to receive additional funding. The ARS budget of $744.6 million recommends $66.6 million of increased spending for selected programs, but requests only $32 million in new funds, which means that $34.6 million will come from redirection of existing programs.
The areas with proposed increases are:

Food Safety – $13,970K
Emerging Infectious Diseases and Exotic Pests – $6,000K
Genetic Resources – $3,500K
Environmental Quality and Natural Resources – $7,500K
Human Nutrition Initiative – $10,500K
Everglades Initiative – $750K
Climate Change – $7,000K
Pfiesteria Research – $2,000K

Proposed Decreases:

The budget also identified locations for closure. These locations are Mandan, North Dakota; Prosser, Washington; Orono, Maine; and Brawley, California.
All Congressional add-on’s from FY 98.

Major Facilities Construction and Renovation:
The budget includes $35.9 million for major renovation and new construction at several ARS locations. These include:

BARC – $2,500K
NCAUR – $8,400K
SRRC – $6,000K
ERRC – $3,300K
PIADC – $3,500K
NADC – $5,600K
USGMRL – $1,400K
Ft. Lauderdale – $4,000K
NAL – $1,200K

ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
Dr. Onstad reported on the national program structure of ARS as divided into three broad areas with 25 defined programs. The structure of these programs can be viewed on the ARS websiste at http://www.ars.usda.gov/nps/programs/table2.htm.

Agenda Item 18

Chief Operating Officers Meeting

The Association’s chief operating officers will meet to review the Treasurer’s Report and the Executive Director’s 98/99 Budget Request.

Agenda Item 19

Report of the Executive Director’s 98/99 Operating Budget

Presenter: Richard Jones
BACKGROUND
A report of actions taken by Chief Operating Officers as per Agenda Item 18 will be reported to the general assembly of SAAESD.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
Dr. Jones reported that the Chief Operating Officers (COO) approved the FY99 budget for the Executive Director’s office with assessments the same as those for FY98. Expenditures beyond the level of assessment will be transferred from carryover funds. Additionally, the COO approved renewal of the contract with the Social Science Research Center with requested budget to be proportionally assessed each station.

Agenda Item 20

Executive Director’s Annual Report

to the SAAESD

April 20, 1998

Presenter: T.J. Helms
Introduction
April 1^st marked the second anniversary of my appointment as your Executive Director. During this period we have learned to conduct the business of the Association in a much more efficient manner both operationally and financially, following implementation of the operating procedures that you put into effect. This FY ’98 annual report to you is organized around the topics of general, regional and national activities.
General Activities
The Office of the Executive continues to be co-located with Mississippi State University’s Southern Rural Development Center and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station serves as our host station. We expect these offices to be relocated to the Bost Extension Center in the near future, perhaps as early at this coming fall.
By the comments received from the majority of you and, indeed, from my personal observation, Anna Marie Rasberry has done an outstanding job in her role as Assistant to the Executive Director. She has established excellent working relationships with many members of your staffs, with key USDA/CSREES personnel, and with her counterparts in the other regions. Anna Marie continues to serve as the webmaster for the Association’s homepage. Evidence that she has continued to master HTML language is constantly revealed in the improvements made in the Association’s homepage. As always, we invite your comments and suggestions about the format and content of the homepage.
Since the Office of the Executive Director maintains the archives for the Association we ask that you please remember to provide copies of all proposals, reports, minutes of meetings, and correspondence related to projects. We have complete files on all current RRF projects and each of the retired project files transferred from both Clemson University and Texas A. & M. University.
Regional Activities
I continue to find the on-site visits to your stations to be very useful from the standpoints of becoming better informed about your universities, your research programs and priorities and, of course, to become better acquainted with you (Directors and Associate or Assistant Directors) and your staffs. Experience of the past two years would indicate that I should not expect to visit each station annually, thus limiting my on-site visits to five to seven.
Several state-specific, regional and national reports have been generated through the Southern Regional Data Support System. This is the grant-supported project from SAAESD to the Social Science Research Center (SSRC), Mississippi State University. Dr. Arthur Cosby and members of his staff have made several presentations to SAAESD and the GPRA Alternatives Task Force (Washington, D.C. and Las Vegas, NV) by invitation from members of the USDA/CSREES administrative team. The emphasis of the project is communication of information from large, complex data sets (CRIS data; agricultural census data; etc.) in a visual format to a wide variety of audiences. In addition, the data support system has enhanced our ability to develop a wide variety of presentations and reports in a timely manner for individual stations and the region. The project is scheduled to continue through June 30, 1998. A request for continuation will be presented during the Oklahoma City, OK, meeting.
The Southern and Western Executive Directors serve as members of the administrative groups for T-STAR, the Tropical/Subtropical Agricultural Research Program. T-STAR’s origins go back to1973 when the first appropriations were made to the USDA/ARS. The program was transferred to the USDA/CSREES budget approximately 15 years ago and currently receives its support through Section 89-106 (Special Grants).
Service as SAAESD’s liaison representative to the Association of Regional Extension Directors and the 1890 Association of Research Directors has provided the opportunity to develop close working relationships with many of these Directors.
The recent visit with Mexican authorities by of the Tecoman Cotton Winter Nursery Committee of the National Cotton Council resulted in achieving approval for entering transgenic germplasm in the program during the next cycle. Other related activities include service on the Joint Cotton Breeding Policy Committee of the National Cotton Council.
National Activities
Paperless Management of Regional Research will soon become a reality. We expect to have the software available for testing by the coming summer and, hopefully, full operation by the beginning of the next federal fiscal year. Anna Marie Rasberry will make a full report on this activity during this meeting.
Participation on the CRIS Enhancement Project continued though February of this year with filing of the final report for the project. The revised CRIS taxonomy will be reviewed during this meeting.
In addition to participation in the regularly scheduled meetings of ESCOP and joint meetings with ECOP, the Executive Directors are holding face-to-face meetings and conference calls on a regular basis and as needed, with the USDA/CSREES Administrator and other leaders within the administration. Other ESCOP activities include:

Executive Committee
Chair’s Advisory Committee
Legislative and Budget Development Subcommittees
Strategic Planning Committee
Joint ESCOP/ECOP Task Force on Image Enhancement. [Our regional Image Enhancement activity (SERA-TF 10) is an outgrowth of the Joint ESCOP/ECOP Image Enhancement project.]
Joint ESCOP/ACOP Leadership Development
GRPA Working Group; GPRA Alternatives Task Force (see appended report)
REEIS – Steering Committee (Subcommittee on Needs Assessment — Chair)

Recently, considerable time and effort was spent preparing information for and making presentations before the Strategic Planning Task Force on Facilities Review. Success in this venture was only marked by an agreement from the Chair to reduce the information being sought to a building-by-building report without relationships to CRIS Commodities.
( Association homepage contains a complete listing of T.J. Helms’ Assignments ).
Addendum: GPRA Alternatives Task Force Update
(Prepared by Dan Rossi, 3/20/98)
The GPRA Alternatives Task Force, under the leadership of Colien Hefferan, has met three times (November 14 in Washington, DC; December 16 in Washington, DC and February 2-3 in Las Vegas, NV) and participated in several conference calls. The following recommendations have been developed:

States be provided two options for preparing the initial GPRA submissions:
1. Utilize GPRA Planning and Reporting Software to submit research, education and extension plans.
2. State Extension Systems use GPRA Planning and Reporting Software to meet Plan of Work requirements and GPRA submissions. State Experiment Stations submit a program planning letter describing research plans in the context of the five CSREES goals.
GPRA plans and reports be built from a variety of sources including state plans, directors’ analyses, joint program evaluation and review, CSREES analysis and synthesis rather than summing state plans.
The partnership and enabling nature of CSREES activities be reflected in the performance plan structured to implement the five strategic goals. In the plan:
1. Inputs are budget allocations and agency staff.
2. Outputs are agency and collective system actions such as new or enhanced initiatives, programs, collaborations, and procedures.
3. Outcomes are actions of universities, agencies and organizations that create new knowledge, reach audiences, advance science and educate.
4. Objectives are public goods resulting from programs enabled by Federal funding, joint planning and coordination.
GPRA will integrate and synthesize information about the following program attributes, issues and functions to guide collective implementation of the CSREES strategic plan, resource use and budget development and advocacy:
1. Emerging issues
2. Current program activities
3. Impacts of programs and assessment of outcomes
4. Responsiveness to customer demands
5. Meeting needs of under-served groups
6. Redirection within program areas
7. Payoffs
An update on the Task Force activities be forwarded to Deans and Directors as soon as possible.

ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.

Agenda Item 21

Paperless Management of Regional Research

Presenter: Anna Marie Rasberry
BACKGROUND
In a joint effort of the regional AES associations with the CSREES Partnership Office, regional research is moving toward a paperless management system. To facilitate this movement, the CRIS office is developing a format for submission of project outlines, annual reports, meeting minutes, etc. In addition, the Manual for Cooperative Regional Research is being edited and formatted for the web. Implementation of these initial stages is proposed to begin in summer, 1998.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
Phase I implementation of Paperless Management is projected for summer or early fall, 1998 with web-based entry of project outlines. This will supplement a regional research database consisting of a five-year compilation of records. Future phases will include web-based submission of meeting minutes, annual reports, and termination reports. Immediately, however, administrative advisers may begin electronic submission of minutes and reports to Dr. Cooper through his e-mail address (gcooper@reeusda.gov). Administrative Advisers were informed of the necessity of developing a list of project participant e-mail addresses. This will be a requirement when project outline submission becomes electronic.

Agenda Item 22

Web Sites for Regional Projects

Presenter: Vance Watson
BACKGROUND
Regional projects’ technical committees are beginning to utilize the web to disseminate information regarding their projects. Project web sites include objectives, participants, meeting information and minutes, annual reports, etc. Related issues discussed at the Executive Committee meeting held in February, 1998 at SAAS, included 1) who should maintain these sites and 2) who should pay for initiation and updating a site. It was suggested that responsibility should lie with each technical committee and that an interested member of that committee be responsible for development and maintenance of a site. An example site is one recently developed by IEG-33, “Crop Variety Testing Programs in the Southern Region“, for which Dr. Watson serves as administrative adviser.
ACTION REQUESTED
Amend Association guidelines to include language encouraging each regional project technical committee to develop a web site that would be linked from the association homepage.
ACTION TAKEN
As an example of the usefulness and simplicity of project homepages, Dr. Watson distributed copies of homepages for two Information Exchange Groups (IEG31, and IEG63) for which he serves as Administrative Advisor. It was suggested that each Southern Region project have a homepage and on a motion/second by Drs. Knapp/Kriz a recommendation to develop standard guidelines was approved. Chair Jones will appoint an ad hoc committee to develop guidelines for presentation at the summer meeting.

Agenda Item 23

Proposals for New and Continuing Activities

Presenters: Richard Jones
BACKGROUND
Requests were presented for establishing or modifying the activities below as indicated. According to Association policy, copies of preproposals were sent to the SAAESD Executive Committee (in lieu of Planning Groups) and to Administrative Advisers of select Advisory Committees for review and recommendation. The Executive Committee is empowered to act on behalf of the Association for authorizing Development Committees and thus has completed action as noted on requests from S-258, S-260, S-261, and a new RRF project entitled “Assessing Impacts of Welfare Reform…”. The Executive Committee deferred final action to the full SAAESD on two remaining requests, S-259 and new project entitled “Workforce Conditions…”. Requests for action on Information Exchange Groups must also be considered by the full SAAESD.

Requested Action	Prev. Activity/ Term. Date/ Advisor	Title	General Comments and Recommendations of Advisory Groups and Executive Committee; FINAL ACTION
Regional Research Funded (RRF) Projects:
Renew	S-0651999 Chair/ED	Reg. Research Coord. Project	Executive Committee authorized revision for submission to CSREES requesting continuance. FINAL ACTION: Approved.
Establish DC	S-2581998 Lommel	Developing Genetic Resources for Cotton Improvement	Exec. Comm. authorizes DC 98-01. AC12 approves. FINAL ACTION: Approved DC98-01.
Establish DC	S-2591999 Klindt	Economic Change, Diversity and Resiliency in Rural Labor Markets	Exec. Comm. recommends combining S-259 with proposed new RRF project on “Workforce Conditions…”. Request final approval from full SAAESD. AC7: 1) Rejects but suggests resubmission of one joint committee formed with new activity below, “Workforce Conditions…” because of sig. possible overlap; 2) suggests enhance research plan; 3) suggests better specify economic analysis of Obj. C. AC9 approves. FINAL ACTION: Approved DC 98-05 with request for new project entitled “Rural Labor Markets in the South:…”.
Establish DC	S-2601999 Knapp	Ag. and Natural Wetland Mgt. for Rural Economic, Health, and Environmental Quality Improvement	Exec. Comm. authorizes DC 98-02 with a title change such as suggested by AC7 below. AC5: Approves if title changed to reflect outline – suggests “Rice Pest and Mosquito Biology, Economic Problems, and Management”. AC7: 1) rejects but suggests resubmission to include research on wetlands more generally and include more econ. analysis of alternative policies and mgt. options; 2) comment that too narrow for RRF – should broaden or at least change title to “Mgt. of Rice Wetlands for Mosquito Control”; 3) notes need for more economic assessment in obj. AC11 suggests adding “arthropod” to title. AC-12 approves with request to develop better title to reflect entomological aspect. FINAL ACTION: Approved DC98-02.
Establish DC	S-2611999 Kriz	Systems for Controlling Air Pollutant Emissions and Indoor Environments of Poultry and Livestock Facilities	Exec. Comm. authorizes DC 98-03. AC2 approves. AC5 approves – could prove very useful for odor control. AC7: 1) rejects but suggests re-write to include more economic analysis; 2) notes that no mention made of evaluating economic costs, benefits, trade-offs; 3) comments that this not seen as high priority research issue; 4) comments has little economic content other than budget calculations. FINAL ACTION: Approved DC98-03.
Establish DC	(new activity)Coston	Workforce Conditions and Needs in the Rural South: Assessing Labor Force Demands for the 21^st Century	Exec. Comm. recommends combining with S-259 replacement project. Request final approval from full SAAESD. AC7: 1) Rejects with suggestion to resubmit in joint rewrite with S-259; 2) In general more positive about this than S-259. AC9 approves. FINAL ACTION: Approved DC98-05 with request from S-259 for new project entitled “Rural Labor Markets in the South:…”.
Establish DC	(new activity)Brown	Assessing Impacts of Welfare Reform on Individual, Family and Community Well-Being: A Focus on the Rural South	Exec. Comm. authorizes DC 98-04. AC7: 1) Strong recommendation for approval; 2) High priority issue for south. AC9 approves. FINAL ACTION: Approved DC98-04.
Information Exchange Groups:
Terminate	IEG-111998 Emino	Southern Forage Breeders	Has not been active for several years. Exec. Comm. approves termination. FINAL ACTION: Approved termination.
Extend	IEG-131998 Koonce	Statisticians Group	Exec. Comm. approves. AC7 approves. FINAL ACTION: Approved renewal.
Terminate	IEG-291998 B. Brown	Application Technology	Very productive in the past but now has very little AES involvement – mostly ARS. Exec. Comm. approves termination. FINAL ACTION: Approved termination.
Terminate ahead of schedule	IEG-312000 Wynne	Southern Corn Improvement Conference	Southern group voted to terminate. Only 2 states and 3 scientists were participating. Exec. Comm. approves termination. FINAL ACTION: Approved termination ahead of schedule.
Renew	IEG-401998 G. Brown	Genetics & Breeding of Southern Forest Trees	Exec. Comm. approves. AC13 approves. FINAL ACTION: Approved renewal.
Terminate	IEG-651998 Boling	Oxidative Processes in Muscle Food	Group will meet in June and may discuss another IEG. Exec. Comm. approves termination for 9/98 unless request is developed in time for approval during summer meeting of SAAESD. FINAL ACTION: Approved termination unless renewal request presented at summer meeting.
Terminate	IEG-671998 Helms	Application of GIS to Sou. Region Research	Committee may later submit request for new IEG dealing more specifically with GIS. Exec. Comm. approves termination. FINAL ACTION: Approved termination.
Terminate	IEG-681998 Cannell	Nonconsumptive Amenity Uses of Natural Resources	Little participation and no regular meetings. Exec. Comm. approves termination. FINAL ACTION: Approved termination.
New IEG	Schoulties	Black Fly Biology, Economic Problems, and Management	Exec. Comm. recommends formation of a SERA-IEG. AC12 approves. FINAL ACTION: Approved formation of SERA-IEG pending CES approval.
Renew	SERA-IEG-51998 B. Brown	Sweet Potato Collaborators Conference	Exec. Comm. approves. AC4, 5, 6, 11, 12 approve. FINAL ACTION: Approved renewal – pending CES action.
Reneww/ new title	SERA-IEG-61998 Kriz	Nutrient Analysis of Soils, Plants, Water and Waste Materials	Exec. Comm. approves AC6, 13 approve. AC5 approves with comment that may need to add others with waste management expertise. FINAL ACTION: Approved renewal – pending CES action.
Renew w/new title	SERA-IEG-71998 Utley	Biology and Management of Peanut Insects and Other Arthropods	Exec. Comm. approves with suggestion to reword title to better emphasize applicability to peanuts only. AC12 approves. FINAL ACTION: Approved renewal – pending CES action.
Renew	SERA-IEG-81998 Weidemann	Fescue Endophyte Research and Extension	Exec. Comm. approves. AC2, 11 approve. FINAL ACTION: Approved renewal – pending CES action.
Renew	SERA-IEG-91998 Teem	Aquatic Food Animals from Warm Water Aquaculture	Exec. Comm. approves. AC7, 9 approves. FINAL ACTION: Approved renewal – pending CES action.
Renew	SERA-IEG-141998 Dozier	Development and Evaluation of Bunch and Muscadine Grapes for Fresh Market, Juice, Wine, and Other Products	Exec. Comm. approves. AC6 approves. FINAL ACTION: Approved renewal – pending CES action.
Renew	SERA-IEG-151998 Scott	Competitiveness and Sustainability of the Southern Dairy Industry	Exec. Comm. approves. AC2 approves but suggested that objectives be revised for better focus. AC4 approves but request more info sent to scientists in Food Science for participation in issues of by-product utilization and mgt. of wastes from processing facilities. AC5, 7 approves. FINAL ACTION: Approved renewal – pending CES action.
Renew	SERA-IEG-161998 Beaulieu	Rural Infrastructure as a Cause and Consequence of Rural Economic Development and Quality of Life	Exec. Comm. approves. AC7 approves with comments about being important rural dev. issue involving critical economic assessment. FINAL ACTION: Approved renewal – pending CES action.
Renew	SERA-IEG-171998 A. Jones	Minimizing Agricultural Phosphorus Runoff Losses for Protection of the Water Resource	Exec. Comm. approves. AC5 approves and recommends interaction with S-273 and S275. FINAL ACTION: Approved renewal – pending CES action.
Renew	SERA-IEG-181998 B. Brown	Rice Technical Work Group	Exec. Comm. approves. AC4, 7, 11, 12 approve. FINAL ACTION: Approved renewal – pending CES action.
Renew	SERA-IEG-191998 Shaw	Rural Health and Safety	FINAL ACTION: Approved renewal – pending CES action.
SERA-IEG	SERA-TF-101998 Rogers	Image Enhancement	Exec. Comm. approves. FINAL ACTION: Approved formation of SERA-IEG – pending CES action.

ACTION REQUESTED
Approval of activities as requested.
ACTION TAKEN

DC98-05 was approved to combine the request from S-259 and the request for a new project (Workforce…) on motion/second of Drs. Emino/Crowder.
S-065 renewal was approved on motion/second of Drs. Cherry/Crowder.
Executive Committee recommendations on requests concerning IEGs were accepted and approved based on motion/second of Drs. Coston/Cherry.
Executive Committee recommendations on requests concerning SERA-IEGs were accepted and approved based on motion/second of Drs. Coston/Cherry.
New request from SERA-IEG-19 was approved based on motion/second of Drs. Coston/Cherry.
The request to form a SERA-IEG from SERA-TF-10 was approved based on motion/second by Drs. Coston/Scifres.

Agenda Item 24

CES Report

Presenter: Jon Ort
BACKGROUND
Dr. Jon Ort, SAAESD’s liaison to the Southern Region Extension Directors, will highlight relative Extension activities including discussion of participation in SERAs.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
On behalf of the Association of Southern Region Extension Directors (ASRED), Dr. Ort encouraged SERA-IEGs to meet in conjunction with other groups. SAAESD agreed that whenever feasible, the Administrative Advisors should facilitate this action.

Agenda Item 25

Virgin Islands’ Aquaponics Program

Presenter: Jim Rakocy
BACKGROUND
Dr. Jim Rakocy has been invited to share information about the Virgin Islands’ aquaponics program. This presentation is the first of a series in which different stations’ research programs will be highlighted during a meeting of the SAAESD.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.

Agenda Item 26

Southern Region IPM Program

Presenters: Skip Jubb
BACKGROUND
Preproposals for the FY 97-98 Southern Region IPM Grant Program were requested in three categories:
A. IPM Research Projects
B. IPM Extension Projects
C. Combined IPM Research/Extension Projects
Commodity areas were:

cotton
fruits/vegetables
general IPM science
greenhouse/nursery
med-vet/livestock

The preproposal announcement was sent electronically on Sept. 23, 1997 to all Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension directors in the region. The full document was placed on the homepage for the Va. Agric. Expt. Sta. Few problems were noted by “going electronic” with the preproposal announcement. We are currently exploring to move to “all electronic” submissions on the preproposal process in the next funding cycle.
A total of 66 preproposals were received by the deadline of Nov. 7, 1997. There were 43 preproposals in Category A, 17 in Category B, and 6 in Category C. Forty three (43) preproposals were selected for full proposal development: 26 in Category A, 11 in B, and all 6 in C. Preproposals selected by commodity for full proposal development were 11 for cotton, 13 for fruits/vegetables, 10 for general IPM, 3 for greenhouse/nursery, and 6 for med-vet/livestock.
On Dec. 17, 1997, full proposal instructions and application forms were sent by overnight courier to principal investigators of successful preproposals. Letters were mailed to unsuccessful applicants on Dec. 18, 1997.
Full proposals were due on Feb. 11, 1998. The peer review panel coordinated by Bobby Pass will meet in Lexington, Kentucky April 15, 1998, to recommend projects for funding. Available funds for FY 97-98 are $962,108; of this, $666,233 is available for research projects; $225,875 for combined research/extension projects (including $25,875 from EPA); and $70,000 for extension projects.
The SERA-IEG-3 meeting was held in Gainesville, FL, March 12-13, 1998. Six recommendations were made on the priority areas and other aspects of the FY 98-99 Southern Region IPM Grants Program:

The group passed on a vote of 10 to 4 to do away with commodities for the next funding cycle – no preference given to any commodity – but that extra points be given for proposals dealing with emerging issues.
The group passed on a vote of 11 to 6 to encourage a new priority area for proposals in the research category for assessing economic, social, and environmental benefits of IPM; quantifying benefits; and developing assessment methodology.
The group passed on a vote of 10 to 6 that additional credit for weed science proposals continue to be given in 1998-99 (15% credit given in 1997-98).
The group passed on a vote of 16 to 1 to award up to 10% credit to projects dealing with weed science in 1998-99, but recommends to eventually phase out this advantage beyond 1999.
The group passed on a vote of 14 to 1 that one large-scale, multi-state, multi-discipline, multi-year, systems project be funded in the upcoming cycle (up to $225,000 per year). Such a large-scale project must demonstrate proven clientele support and partnerships. The funds would come from the combined research/extension category.
The group passed on a voice vote that $5,000 be taken off-the-top to aid in coordinating all final reports as well as information on summaries of prior funded projects; a regional publication on IPM project impacts will be produced. Gerrit Cuperus (OK) will chair this effort, if approved.

The SAAESD IPM Policy Committee will meet by telephone conference to discuss priority areas for the FY 98-99 grants program. The SERA-IEG-3 input will be considered. The IPM Policy Committee will be make final recommendations in Oklahoma City on April 19-22, 1998. A subcommittee of the SERA-IEG will assist in drafting the appropriate language for the new call for preproposals.
Minutes from the SERA-IEG-3 meeting held in Gainesville are attached. The 1998-99 officers of the SERA-IEG are Jonathan Edelson (OK), Chair; and Russell Mizell (FL), Secretary.
ACTION REQUESTED
Approval of the recommended priority areas and other changes for the FY 98-99 Southern Region IPM Grants Program.
ACTION TAKEN
Based on recommendations 1-6 as noted above, the following actions were recorded:
Recommendation #1: Approved elimination of commodity areas for next funding cycle. (Motion/second by Drs. Jubb/Coston)
Recommendation #2: Approved addition of new priority category as noted above. (Motion/second by Drs. Jubb/Kriz)
Recommendation #3 and #4: Approved special credit to weed science proposals of 10% next year then phased out. (Motion/second by Drs. Jubb/Knapp)
Recommendation #5: Approved funding of one mega-project as noted above. (Motion/second by Drs. Jubb/Knapp)
Recommendation #6: Approved an appropriate amount be taken off the top for use by Dr. Pass in gathering and coordinating summaries. (Motion/second by Drs. Jubb/Cherry)

Agenda Item 26a.

SERA-IEG-3 Minutes

Presenter: David Teem
BACKGROUND
Draft Minutes – Meeting of SERA-IEG-3Integrated Pest ManagementMarch 12 and 13, 1998Gainesville, FLAttending: Geoff Zehnder (Chair), Jonathan Edelson (secretary), Mark Rumph, Jonda Halcomb, Robert McSorley, Jim Duthie, Ames Herbert, Phil Stansley, Robin Huettel, Scott hardwick, Paul Guillebeau, Jim Dutcher, Gerrit Cuperus, Anthony Keinath, Gerald Jubb, Karen Vail, David Teem, Jack Bagent, Michael Fitzner, Clarence Collison, Neal Van Alfen, Doug Johnson, Clayton Hollier, Ron Seward, Mike Linker, Gus Lorenz, Tom Fuchs, Randy Luttrell, Russ Mizell, Mike Fitzner
March 12 – Research and Extension Reports.

Meeting opened at 8:00 a.m.
Chair, Geoff Zehnder outlined SERA-IEG functions.
Introductions and meeting agenda, Geoff Zehnder.
Research report results from SR-IPM proposals funded in 1993.

Randy Luttrell, Mississippi State Univ.
Bob McSorley
Jim Dutcher, Univ. Georgia
Phillip Stansley, Univ. Florida
Jonda Halcomb, Texas A&M Univ.
Univ. Florida Tomato IPM program
Scott Hardwick, New Zealand IPM

David Teem, Southern Region Directors’ advisor to the SERA-IEG-3 indicated that an extension request for the SR-IPM SERA-IEG-3 is due this next year if the group desires to continue with the SERA-IEG-3. The request should be submitted to David Teem. Comments for Dr. Teem included observations that much of the research funded in the past could be described as ‘component’ research and the group should consider how to focus funds towards ‘systems’ research. Additionally, he indicated the lack of weed science and few plant pathology representatives attending the meeting.
Regional Projects: Russ Mizell led a discussion focused on developing a southern region proposal to be submitted to the USDA Regional Pest Management program if funded next year.
Adjourn at 3:00 p.m. to tour the Florida Division of Plant Industries facilities.

March 13 – Business Meeting

Geoff Zehnder, Chair opened meeting at 8:30 p.m. with Introductions.
Minutes from 1997, presented by Geoff Zehnder. Motion: Accept minutes as presented, by Gus Lorenz, second by Mike Linker, approved by voice vote.
Motion: Extend SERA-IEG-3, SR-IPM by submitting request to David Teem, by Gerrit Cuperus, second by Gus Lorenz, approved by voice vote. (Edelson requested by Zehnder to submit letter as indicated).
Skip Jubb, AES Director Co-Chair of the SR-IPM grants program: Explained the different types of SERAs as well as one important function of SERA-IEG-3. A major purpose is to provide input and suggestions on conduct of the SR-IPM Grants Program to the Southern Region research and extension directors.
USDA CSREES Updates: Robin Huettel, Mike Fitzner
President Clinton’s budget request for USDA, report by Robin Huettel.
USDA funding for IPM and use of statistics derived from CRIS reports, report by Robin Huettel. Dr. Huettel expressed concerns that IPM funding is inflated due to reporting process and requested input from the committee.
Committee Action: Dr. Zehnder suggested that committee members contact Dr. Huettel with suggestions. Consensus of the committee was that the Southern Region Directors could have more impact by changing methods of completing forms in the administration offices within AES.
Pest Management Alternatives Program, report by Mike Fitzner.
EPA funding program, report by Mike Fitzner.
GPRA issues, report by Mike Fitzner. Mike led a discussion concerning needs to be accountable for federal funding of IPM and methods of providing indicators of progress. Mike requested that the SERA develop a committee to review GPRA issues and provide recommendations for ‘indicators’. Geoff Zehnder responded by naming a committee: Jonathan Edelson, Chair, members: Tom Fuchs, Karen Vail, Mike Linker, Clayton Hollier, Gerrit Cuperus, Paul Guillebeau, Russ Mizell. Charge: Review and revise current indicators for GPRA.
RFP for SR-IPM program for 1999: Discussion led by Geoff Zehnder.
- Motion: Remove current commodity orientation from the RFP for the SR-IPM, by Gerrit Cuperus, second by Tony Keinath. Passed, 10 for, 4 against.
- Sub-committee to rewrite RFP appointed by Geoff Zehnder, Geoff Zehnder, Chair, members Gus Lorenz, Doug Johnson, Jim Duthie.
- Jonathan Edelson to submit letter to David Teem indicating committee’s recommendation to remove commodity orientation for the RFP.
- Motion: It is recommended that the SR-IPM RFP joint Research/Extension funds (ca. $225,000) portion of program be used to fund a large-scale long-term cropping system project selected through the competitive process. The projects should be a regional priority, multi-discipline, up to 3 years in duration with emphasis on proven clientele support and partnerships. By Edelson, second by Russ Mizell, 16 for, 1 against.
- RFP committee to use the USDA CSREES Phase II IPM program RFP as a model, to keep Robin Huettel informed of progress and send drafts to advisors.
- Revised RFP to be circulated to IEG committee.
- Motion: It is recommended that the SR-IPM RFP have included as a priority area, the evaluation of social, environmental and economic impacts of IPM programs. Proposals to include methodology and / or quantification studies. Directors should consider selecting a suitable representative for review of said projects to be on the review panel for the program. By: Neil Van Alfen, second by Tom Fuchs, passed on voice vote.
- Motion: It is recommended that the SR-IPM RFP include additional credit for inclusion of weed science component. By: Gus Lorenz, second by Neil Van Alfen, 10 for, 6 against.
- Motion: It is recommended that the additional credit for weed science be ‘up to’ 10% of the total value of points for grants. By: Neil Van Alfen, second by Mike Linker, 16 for, 1 against.
Skip Jubb, report: RFP for 1999 will be on the internet, and the Directors desire to go ‘all electronic’ with pre-proposals for this next year.
Motion: It is recommended that $5,000 from IPM funds be used to aid in coordination of reports and information on summaries of prior funded projects and development of a regional publication of the reports. Gerrit Cuperus will chair the effort. By: Tom Fuchs, second by Gus Lorenz, voice vote approved.
Site and meeting selection for 1999: By group consensus the meeting will be held in Athens, Georgia on the Univ. Georgia campus during the Univ. spring break. Paul Guillibeau to serve as local arrangements chair and committee.
Format of meeting: By group consensus the meeting will be 2.5 days, 0.5 days for IPM coordinators, 0.5 days for research results reports, 1 day for business, 0.5 days for tour.
Passing of gavel to chair committee from Zehnder to Edelson. Adjourn.

ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.

Agenda Item 27

Intellectual Property Issues

Royalty Distribution / Grants and Contracts

Presenters: Richard Jones and Larry Rogers
BACKGROUND
Issues are continuing to surface regarding intellectual property. Dr. Jones will lead a discussion on royalty distribution issues and Dr. Rogers will lead a discussion of concerns regarding grants and contracts with emphasis on recent experiences with Cotton Incorporated.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information and discussion.
ACTION TAKEN
Dr. Jones distributed copies of The Bayh-Dole Act: A Guide to the Law and Implementing Regulations published by the Council on Governmental Relations in November, 1993. In addition, copies were distributed of a survey questionnaire used several years ago entitled Ownership and Benefits from Intellectual Property in the Southern Region. Intellectual property issues were discussed.
Dr. Rogers led a subsequent discussion and on behalf of the SAAESD, Chair Jones will correspond with Bill Lollar of Cotton Incorporated about the group’s concerns relative to Cotton Incorporated’s new language in 1998 contracts on ownership of research outcomes. It was suggested that each state also write a letter interpreting their individual policies and state laws concerning this matter. In addition, Mr. Lollar will be invited to the Association’s summer meeting to discuss this issue.

Agenda Item 28

Joint Cotton Breeding Policy Committee/

Tecoman Cotton Winter Nursery Report

Presenters: Johnny Wynne / Larry Rogers / T.J. Helms
BACKGROUND
The goal of the Joint Cotton Breeding Policy Committee of the National Cotton Council is to coordinate cotton breeding and germplasm research for public (Experiment Stations and Agricultural Research Service) and private programs. The group deals with policy issues and coordinates and supports the work of the Cotton Germplasm Advisory Committee and the ARS Tecoman Winter Nursery. Representatives from the Experiment Stations are Johnny Wynne from North Carolina and James Smith, Head of the Delta Branch Experiment Station, Mississippi. Dr. Larry Rogers, Louisiana, has been nominated for the third position. Dr. Tom Helms serves as administrative liaison.
The winter nursery is in its 17th year. It has 23 cooperators. The cooperators pay a fee, but the nursery receives additional funding from ARS and Cotton, Inc.
About 10,000 germplasm lines or accessions are being increased at Tecoman this year. The ARS Germplasm Unit at Texas A&M received about $90,000 new funding last year to support the cotton germplasm activities.
The Cotton Germplasm Advisory Committee recommends that several additional collections be secured in the immediate future and that a systematic evaluation of the cotton germplasm for desirable traits be increased. Funding may become available from private sources if a worthwhile initiative is developed.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
Dr. Helms noted that a process is in place to facilitate shipment of transgenic materials to the Cotton Winter Nursery in Mexico.

Agenda Item 29a.

Report by Senior ESCOP Representative

ESCOP Executive Subcommittee

Presenter: Jim Boling
BACKGROUND
An update of current ESCOP activities, including the most recent Executive Subcommittee meeting held in Tucson, Arizona, will be presented. Copies of all ESCOP reports and minutes of meetings are available through the ESCOP website.
DRAFT ON THE REORGANIZATION OF ESCOP: A DISCUSSION PAPER(Prepared by David MacKenzie, Northeast Regional AES Executive Director)
Introduction:
The members of ESCOP met in Washington D.C. February 11 to 13, 1998 at their regularly scheduled time. A portion of the meeting’s agenda was set aside by the ESCOP Chair Dan Rossi to discuss organizational issues. A White Paper was developed and distributed to the participants prior to the meeting to help frame the issues and set the direction for the discussion. The White Paper explored a number of topics, with specific reference to the structure and operations of ESCOP.
At the conclusion of the ESCOP meeting it was noted that more time was needed to complete discussion of the topic, and that extending the dialogue to include the Spring regional association meetings would add to the richness of the discussions. This paper was then requested as a basis for those Spring meetings.
This document is not a summary of the February ESCOP discussions, but it attempts to map the next set of organizational considerations, as ESCOP conducts this self-examination. Feed back from the Spring meetings will be considered at the April ESCOP Executive Committee meeting, as the Committee plans the next steps in this process.
History:
During the process of revising the Experiment Station Section’s (ESS) Rules of Operation (formerly the By Laws, which are now integrated with the former ESCOP By Laws), it became evident that a review of ESCOP’s organization would be beneficial, if for nothing more than to confirm that the present structure is preferred over all other possible options.
Some have said that ESCOP has evolved into a structure of subcommittee that may not necessarily reflect the committee’s current and future needs. Some components of the ESCOP “agenda” are not now represented as subcommittees, while other areas have ESCOP-sanctioned subcommittees that are no longer contributing to the Committee’s agenda. Some of the existing subcommittees may reflect individual interests, rather than the Committee’s needs. And, in a few cases, these individuals are no longer active in ESCOP.
Issues:
In the process of ESCOP’s February 1998 discussion the participants identified several issues that seem relevant to the process of redefining the Committee’s organization. These issues are:
1. The number of “tasks”– Depending on one’s point of view there are between 15 and 25 “tasks” that need to be performed by ESCOP, when fulfilling its responsibilities to ESS. Clearly this is too many subcommittees to expect sustained activities from a loose federation of institutions. ESCOP depends on voluntary participation to complete tasks. Thus some lumping of areas of responsibility seems necessary, if only to make the “agenda” of ESCOP manageable.
2. The lack of continuity– The tenure of ESCOP subcommittee Chairs are in many cases (but not all) made for determinant periods. This planned change-out of chairs has contributed to some significant interruptions in subcommittee activities. New leadership, quite expectedly, often changes a subcommittee’s direction or focus. Although change may in-and-of itself be good, it is the lack of subcommittee continuity that seems to be contributing to the inefficient use of ESCOP members’ time and energy. And it seems that this discontinuity may be working against ESCOP completing its tasks for the ESS.
3. Constrained resources– No member of ESCOP has an unlimited travel budget to participate in ESCOP activities. Great care must be exercised to be absolutely sure that all committee and subcommittee participation will be effective and efficient use of their travel funds.
4. Time demands– Today’s fast-paced SAES administrative duties place extra demands on ESCOP to be sure that every member’s participation is worthwhile for them, and beneficial to the system. Greater attention to facilitating and supporting a Director’s involvement in ESCOP seems to be needed.
5. Communication– The exchange of information among subcommittee and with ESCOP is not, at present, efficient. Information that is necessary for one subcommittee to function does not get forwarded from the source. Recent examples of one ESCOP subcommittee assuming functions that might have been better done by another subcommittee is but one type of communication problem that ESCOP is facing. Another example is the missed opportunity for subcommittees to jointly work on common activities, and thus leverage skills and talent otherwise not available.
Strategies:
For purposes of discussion, the following strategies are offered for further discussion:
1. ESCOP should combine the multiple tasks into a manageable number of standing committees, and address any extraordinary activities through the appointment of ad hoc committees specifically charged for a defined time period. (Examples of appropriate ad hoc committees are: strategic planning, initiative development; futuring). The proposed number of ESCOP standing subcommittees is five. (See next item for the rationale for this number, and a proposed list of standing subcommittees in a following section.)
2. Permanently assign one Executive Director (from one of the five regional associations) to one of each of the five ESCOP standing subcommittees. This configuration would provide ESCOP with continuity for subcommittee activities, and it should greatly help facilitate and support subcommittee activities. Communications among subcommittees should also be enhanced.
3. Form a permanent secretariat for ESCOP. The secretariat would be responsible for meeting organization and support, meeting minutes, planning conference calls, web page development, intra-committee communications, and support for the ESCOP Chair and the ESCOP executive committee.
4. More clearly define the responsibilities of the standing subcommittees through the development of charges, terms of reference and task-reporting responsibilities (content, frequency, progress).
5. Identify liaisons to ESCOP with the intention of having them help us complete our agenda, not report to us on their organization’s activities.
Proposed Structure:
The following proposed structure for ESCOP’s subcommittees represents one combination of “tasks” that would meet the strategy of having a manageable number of committee subunits that could be better facilitated and supported. Other suggested configurations are invited.
1. Policy, Organization, and Operations:

Responsibilities- Develop and recommend national research policies; recommend organizational structures for national activities; oversee the ESS Rules of Operation.
Liaisons to- BOA Policy Committee; COPs; CSREES Liaisons from- CSREES, COPS, ARS, ERS, Forestry, Vet. Med., Human Ecology

2. Resources, Legislation and Finance:

Responsibilities- Draft proposed legislation; develop proposed federal budgets; coordinate human resource development and leadership programs; monitor national needs for facilities and large equipment.
Liaisons to: BOA; COPs; ARS; REE; OMB (?); Congress (?) Liaisons from: CSREES; COPS; ARS; CARET; Commodity groups (?); NGOs (?)

3. Strategic Partnerships:

Responsibilities- Build stronger federal-state relations; seek links to the private sector; work with NGOs as new partners.
Liaisons to: CSREES; ARS; ERS; other federal partners; COPS Liaisons from: CSREES/Partnership Office; ARS/NPS; ERS; COPs; Forestry; Vet. Med.; Human Ecology

4. Science and Technology:

Responsibilities- Program development; planning national initiatives; recommend system-wide positions on technical issues; research priority-setting exercises.
Liaisons to: BOA; CSREES; OSTP; COPS; ARS; ERS
Liaisons from: CSREES; CARET; COPs; other federal agencies

5. Evaluation and Assessment:

Responsibilities- Interactions with the federal partner on GPRA issues; efforts in image enhancement; working with advocacy groups.
Liaisons to: BOA; CSREES; AESOP; ACE; COPs Liaisons from: CSREES; COPS; ACE; AESOP

An additional Regional Research standing committee will be needed to provide continuous coordination of the regional research portfolio. It is proposed that this subcommittee of ESCOP be comprised of all five of the Executive Directors and their administrative assistants; a representative of ECOP; and representation from the CSREES Partnership Office of their choosing. This standing subcommittee would be empowered to oversee aspects of operating the regional research system with a national perspective, and in partnership with CSREES.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.

Agenda Item 29b.

ESCOP Legislative Subcommittee

Presenters: Jim Boling and John Beverly
BACKGROUND
An update of legislative activities will be presented.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.

Agenda Item 29c.

ESCOP Strategic Planning Subcommittee

Presenter: Richard Jones
BACKGROUND
An update of the current activities of the ESCOP Strategic Planning Committee will be presented.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
As a followup discussion, strategic planning for the region was suggested as an agenda item during the summer meeting. Advanced compilation and analysis of state and regional data will facilitate specific action rather than open-ended discussions.

Agenda Item 29d.

ESCOP Budget Development Subcommittee

Presenters: Johnny Wynne and Jim Boling
BACKGROUND
The ESCOP FY 99/00 Budget Subcommittee is chaired by Dr. Thomas Payne, Ohio, with Dr. Richard Lower serving as Executive Vice Chair. Representatives of the Southern Region on this subcommittee are Dr. Jim Boling and Dr. J. C. Wynne.
The subcommittee held a teleconference meeting on March 11, 1998. The subcommittee agreed to ask each region’s representatives to identify new priorities for FY00 and also to eliminate low priority budgeted lines from the FY00 request. Dr. Helms forwarded an email request to each state in the Southern Region requesting input (March 19) before April 1. No input was received.
A survey instrument to establish priorities will be sent to SAES Directors as part of the budget development process for FY00. The collected information will be used to prepare an outline (budget lines) for the FY00 budget.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.

Agenda Item 30

CARET and Other Partner Relationships

Presenter: Don Richardson
BACKGROUND
Dr. Richardson will lead a group discussion of how the different SAESs are interacting with various clientele groups to get clientele feedback on the SAES research program. Of special interest is each state Experiment Station’s interaction with their CARET representatives. The goal is to learn from each other about effective mechanisms for both feedback and for having effective state and national spokespersons.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
Discussions indicated much interest in opportunities for interaction with CARET representatives. Dr. Jones will investigate possibilities for such interaction between SAAESD and CARET at the summer Mini Land-Grant meeting.

Agenda Item 31

Image Enhancement: National and Regional Efforts

Presenters: T.J. Helms and Larry Rogers
BACKGROUND
The joint ESCOP/ECOP Image Enhancement activity which began in 1996 is very active both nationally and regionally. The national activity databases for both 1996 and 1997 are now searchable and can be found at the following location: http://www.esusda.gov/new/success/impact.htm. The twenty-eight 1998 impact statements are currently being edited and should be ready for distribution in the near future. (A copy of these statements will be circulated at the meeting). In addition to the searchable feature, another improvement is in the submission process. Impact statements may now be submitted at any time of the year by the institutional representative for each land-grant institution.
Dr. Larry Rogers, Experiment Station Administrative Adviser for the regional effort, SERA-TF-10, will distribute copies of the regional impact statements. A web site for these “Southern Successes” is being developed at LSU and will be announced soon.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
National Activity: Dr. Helms asked for feedback on the use and distribution techniques of the national impact statements.
Regional Activity: Dr. Rogers distributed copies of the “Southern Successes” and samples of state impact statements and discussed the positive ways in which these reports are being used. Also distributed was a Task Force membership list and information about printing costs and distribution. The SERA-TF members who worked on this effort were commended.

Agenda Item 32

Report of the Nominating Committee

Presenter: D. C. Coston
BACKGROUND
The SAAESD Nominating Committee, consisting of Chair, D.C. Coston, with members, J. Arkin and J. Wynne, will present nominees for the positions of SAAESD Chair-Elect and Executive Committee Member-at-Large. The terms of office for these positions begin at the close of the NASULGC meeting November, 1998. The Chair-Elect serves a one-year term and the Executive Committee Member-at-Large serves a two-year term.
ACTION REQUESTED
Election of the Chair-Elect and Executive Committee Member-at-Large.
ACTION TAKEN
The Nominating Committee placed the following names into nomination: Dr. Jerry Cherry for Chair-Elect and Dr. David Teem for Executive Committee Member-at-Large. No additional nominations were presented from the floor. On motion/second of Drs. Coston/Rogers, the nominees were unanimously approved.

Agenda Item 33

Report of the Resolutions Committee

Presenter: Bill Brown
BACKGROUND
Resolutions recognizing the contributions and service of retiring members and of those otherwise leaving the ranks of the Association will be presented. In addition, a resolution of appreciation will be presented to Oklahoma State University AES for hosting this meeting. Copies of these resolutions will be available from the office of the Executive Director .
ACTION REQUESTED
Adoption.
ACTION TAKEN
Resolutions of appreciation were presented to the following individuals for previous service to the association: Dr. Alberto J. Beale (PR), Dr. John Fernandez-Van Cleve (PR), Dr. Guillermo Fornaris (PR), Dr. John W. Kelly (SC), Dr. H. Graham Purchase (MS), Dr. Dan B. Smith (SC), and Mr. Dennis R. Stipe (LA). A resolution of appreciation was also presented to Dr. D.C. Coston, Dr. Larry Crowder, Ms. Sheila Hennis, and Ms. Jandra Pricer for hosting the SAAESD in Oklahoma in exemplary fashion. Resolutions were approved as presented on motion/second by Drs. Brown/Kriz.

Agenda Item 34

Plans for Upcoming Meetings –

1998 Southern Region Mini Land-Grant Meeting

and 1999 SAAESD Spring Meeting

Presenters: Richard Jones and Jim Boling
BACKGROUND
The 1998 Southern Region Mini Land-Grant meeting will be held August 8-11 in Athens, GA. Components of the meeting include our SAAESD meeting, a joint SAAESD/ASRED meeting, a joint SAAESD/ARD meeting, etc. on August 9-10. The plenary session is scheduled to begin at noon Monday, August 10 on accountability and partnerships in the land-grant system. Registration forms will be mailed in early May.
The 1999 spring meeting of SAAESD will be hosted by Kentucky and is scheduled for April 9-13, 1999 in Lexington, KY. Arrangements are being made to include a social event on Saturday for horse racing. The meeting agenda will be moved forward to begin on Sunday and end on Tuesday.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.

Agenda Item 35

Concluding Remarks, Announcements, and Adjournment

Presenter: Richard Jones
BACKGROUND
Any unresolved business, announcements, and concluding remarks will be presented prior to adjournment.
Announcements and dates of upcoming meetings:

May 27-29, 1998: Orientation Conference for Directors/Administrators – Washington, DC
August 8-11, 1998: Southern Region Mini-Land Grant Meeting – Athens, GA
September 22-24, 1998: SAES Directors’ Workshop – Kansas City, MO
Jan 30-Feb 3, 1999: Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (SAAS) – Memphis, TN
April 9-13, 1999: Spring meeting of SAAESD – Lexington KY

ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
Additional Business Items:

The September 22-24 workshop in Kansas City will include a meeting of the Experiment Station Section (ESS). This ESS meeting will be in lieu of the ESS meeting previously held during NASULGC’s meeting in November each year.
Dr. Helms reviewed the status of the Facility Review requested by USDA. An announcement should be forthcoming to Administrative Heads concerning a new deadline for submission.
Dr. Tom Scott, as co-administrative advisor with Dr. Elwyn Deal, distributed copies of the Annual Report of SERA-IEG-15. On behalf of Dr. Deal, Dr. Scott also distributed copies of Annual Report for SERA-IEG-11. An issue brought before the SAAESD was that of having only one advisor of SERAs, rather the current policy of having twoco-advisors, one each from AES and CES groups. This suggestion is made particularly in regard to SERA-IEG-15 which suggests that with the retirement of Dr. Deal in June, that Dr. Scott assume full leadership of the group since he has both research and extension appointments. The SAAESD felt that having an adviser from each of AES and CES groups was a workable arrangement and thus should remain in practice.
Dr. Eric Young brought an issue before the SAAESD regarding a unique situation involved in electronically publishing a component of an approved Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin (SCSB#388) originated by S-207. The approved bulletin falls within the Association guidelines of electronic publication with no costs to the individual stations. However, one component of this particular publication is an interactive map which requires specialized formatting, thus extra expense for the publishing station of this SCSB. The Directors suggested that Dr. Young prepare an estimate of the expense and submit a request to each station Director for approval to share equally in that expense. On a motion/second by Drs. Scifres/Boling, Directors approved the concept that whether on this cost issue or other cost issues, if a majority votes to approve, then all stations will support the cost.
Dr. Jim Rakocy, AES Director, University of the Virgin Islands, offered to host the SAAESD for its spring meeting, 2000 in the Virgin Islands. On motion/second by Drs. Scifres/Boling, the offer was unanimously and enthusiastically accepted.

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 am, Wednesday, April 22, 1998.

[END]

	Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 72701
Executive Director Gary A. Thompson 479-502-9707 (office) 814-380-3295 (cell) gat009@uark.edu	Program Coordinator Cindy Morley 479-502-9545 (office) 479-422-1405 (cell) cmorley@uark.edu