Minutes
List of Participants
Agenda
Summary of Action Items
Agenda Briefs
| Friday, April 9 6:00 – 9:00 pm – Registration in Hospitality Suite, Room 1625Saturday, April 10 8:00 – 10:00 am – Registration in Lobby 10:30 am – Board buses for equine activity at Keeneland* 6:15 pm – Return to hotel 7:00 pm – Reception, Suite 1625, with heavy hors d’oeuvres Sunday, April 11 7:00 am – Registration in Regency Ballroom Foyer 7:00 – 8:00 am – Breakfast in Glass Gardens 9:30 am – agInnovation South Meeting begins 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Spouse/Guest Tour to Shaker Village 12:00 noon – Lunch on your own 4:15 pm – Meeting adjourns 4:30 pm – Depart for Alltech – Hospitality hour and dinner |
Monday, April 12 7:00 am – Registration in Regency Ballroom Foyer 7:00 am – 8:00 am – Breakfast in Glass Gardens 7:00 am – Chief Operating Officers Breakfast Meeting (Henry Clay room) 8:00 am – Meeting resumes 11:15 am – Meeting adjourns 11:30 am – Depart for lunch, equestrian education tour, and dinnerTuesday, April 13 7:00 – 8:00 am – Breakfast in Glass Gardens 8:00 am – Meeting resumes 10:15 am – Meeting adjourns *Note: DRESS CODE for Keeneland on April 10: Ladies: suit, dress, or pantsuit. Skirt/blouse or sweater. Acceptable: jumpsuit, split skirt or dress shorts. NO DENIM. Men: Suit or sport coat (ties optional). Acceptable: Turtleneck shirt or sweater with coat; sport or polo shirt with coat. |
| Southern AES: Jerry Arkin, GA John Beverly, TX David Boethel, LA Bill Brown, LA Bob Cannell, VA Jerry Cherry, GA D. C. Coston, OK Rafael Davila, PR Everett Emino, FL Marty Fuller, MS Frank Gilstrap, TX Richard Jones, FL Skip Jubb, VA Tom Klindt, TN Fred Knapp, KY George Kriz, NC |
Southern AES, cont. John Lee, VA David Morrison, LA Jim Rakocy, VI Don Richardson, TN Larry Rogers, LA Michael Salassi, LA Calvin Schoulties, SC Charles Scifres, AR Helen Shaw, NC Scott Smith, KY David Teem, AL Neal Thompson, FL Luther Waters, AL Vance Watson, MS Greg Weidemann, AR Eric Young, NC |
Executive Director’s Office: Tom Helms, Exec. Dir. Anna Marie Rasberry, AssistantLiaisons: Bo Beaulieu, SRDC David Foster, CES (AR) Bob Isaac, CES (GA) Bob Koopman, USDA-CSREES Chuck Onstad, USDA-ARS Guest Speakers: Robert Holm, IR-4 Glenn Collins, KY ESCOP Intern: Susan Sumner, VA |
SUMMARY OF ACTION ITEMS:
|
Agenda Item 1
Introductions and Approval of/Additions to Agenda
BACKGROUND
All members were notified that the agenda brief was available on the agInnovation South homepage prior to the meeting. Additions to the agenda will be considered.
ACTION REQUESTED
Discussion, modification as needed and approval.
ACTION TAKEN
| On motion/second of Drs. Scifres/Kriz, the agenda was approved as presented. |
Agenda Item 2
Approval of Minutes – agInnovation South – August 8-9, 1998
Approval of Interim Actions of the Chair and Executive Committee
BACKGROUND
The minutes of the August 8-9, 1998 meeting of the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors were posted on the agInnovation South homepage after the meetings. An electronic message was sent to all members to advise that the minutes were available on the web for review.
The following Interim Actions were taken by the Chair and Executive Committee on behalf of the association.
- Letter to CSREES requesting approval of (S-256), “Impacts of Trade Agreements and Economic Policies on Southern Agriculture” as a regional project upon recommendation by SRRC.
- Approved Cooperative Series Bulletin, “Soil Mineral Associations of the Southern United States,” a publication of S-280.
- Appointed Dr. William F. Brown as the Administrative Advisor to DC 96-05 entitled “Quality Maintenance and Nutritive Aspects of Vegetables During Handling, Processing and Storage,” replacing Dr. D. C. Coston.
- Appointed Dr. Tom Klindt to serve another three-year term as one of the Southern Directors’ representatives to the Southern Rural Development Center Board of Directors.
- Appointed Dr. Gerald Jubb to serve an additional year as Chair of the Southern Region IPM Policy Committee.
- Appointed Dr. David Morrison to serve on the 1999 Resolutions Committee.
- Appointed Dr. David Teem to serve as Chair of the 1999 Resolutions Committee.
- Appointed Dr. Greg Weidemann to serve as Chair of the Southern Regional Research Committee (SRRC), replacing Dr. Jack Britt.
- Appointed Dr. Nancy Cox to serve as Administrative Advisor for IEG-72 entitled “Enhancing Reproductive Efficiency of Cattle.”
- Letter to CSREES requesting an extension of S-065 entitled “Regional Research Coordination, Southern Region,” for an indefinite period.
- Letter to CSREES requesting approval of (S-145), “Nutritional Systems for Swine to Increase Reproductive Efficiency,” as a regional project upon recommendation by SRRC.
- Appointed Dr. Vance Watson as a member of the Joint Cotton Breeding Advisory Committee.
- Appointed Dr. David Morrison as Administrative Advisor for DC98-06 entitled “Enhancing Production and Reproductive Performance of Heat-Stressed Dairy Cattle.”
- Appointed Dr. Greg Weidemann as Administrative Advisor to SERA-IEG-20 entitled “Southern Conservation Tillage Conference for Sustainable Agriculture.”
- Appointed Dr. Gerald Arkin as Administrative Advisor to S-273 entitled “Development and Application of Comprehensive Agricultural Ecosystems Models.”
- Appointed Dr. Lionel J. Beaulieu as Administrative Advisor to S-276 entitled “Rural Restructuring: Causes and Consequences of Globalized Agricultural and Natural Resource System.”
- Appointed Dr. David Morrison as one of Southern Directors’ representatives on the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center Board of Directors replacing Dr. William H. Brown.
- Appointed Dr. William H. Brown as Administrative Advisor to S-272 entitled “Development of Textile Materials for Environmental Compatibility and Human Health and Safety.”
- Appointed Dr. Allan Jones as Administrative Advisor to S-283 entitled “Develop and Assess Precision Farming Technology and Its Economic and Environmental Impacts.”
- Appointed Dr. Robert Westerman to replace Dr. Billy Barfield as Administrative Advisor to IEG-69 entitled “Inventory, Classification, and Waste Application Potential of Disturbed Lands.”
ACTION REQUESTED
Approval.
ACTION TAKEN
| On motion/second by Drs. Coston/Kriz, minutes of the August, 1998 meeting and the Interim Actions were approved as presented. |
Agenda Item 3
Southern Rural Development Center
BACKGROUND
An update on activities of the Southern Rural Development Center will be presented. The focus will be on research activities in which the Center is involved.
In-Meeting Information/Discussion: Dr. Beaulieu reported on areas of research in which the Center is participating and areas of research planned for future activities. Handouts consisting of the Center’s Plan of Work, the latest Center newsletter, and a recent Welfare Reform Brief were distributed. These documents and others may be accessed on the Center’s homepage at http://ext.msstate.edu/srdc.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 4
NRSP-4 (IR-4) Update
BACKGROUND
Dr. Robert E. Holm, new Executive Director of IR-4, will be presenting an update of IR-4 plans and future directions.
The IR-4 Project is committed to implementing its Strategic Plan and addressing FQPA issues to insure that continued effective pest management tools and solutions are available to minor crop growers. The IR-4 National Headquarters has formed a New Technology Team to aggressively seek the newest chemistries and technologies from the crop protection industry and biopesticide companies for minor crop users and to expedite their registration. The 1999 program will again focus on the safer, Reduced Risk products with nearly 60% of the projects dedicated to this objective. The program has also committeed to a defined project completion schedule of 30 months or less from initiation (project protocols in November) to petition submission. This means that the 1999 projects targeted in November 1998 will be submitted to the EPA on or before April 2001. This is an aggressive program but one that is critical for IR-4 to be a credible partner with the industry and facilitate availability of these newer products to the minor crop growers facing loss of older materials to FQPA actions.
This future focus on newer chemistries will be combined with tolerance development for existing effective products that have safe use patterns and residue profiles. IR-4 will work on risk mitigation measures where feasible with the concurrence of the product registrants and commodity producers. Some of the older products are being reintroduced by the registrants as the active isomer where new production and separation technologies have allowed separation from the inactive isomer(s). IR-4 has supported these projects because they have resulted in 30 to 50% less product per acre and have greatly enhanced the environmental safety aspects of their use.
IR-4 will continue to support biopesticide projects in the future because they fit well into the safer, environmentally friendly category of pest control options for minor crop growers, especially where IPM compatible products are critical to crop production and management systems. Three biotechnology applications for minor crops will be supported in 1999 with projects on herbicide tolerant crops (lettuce, strawberries and sweet corn).
The 1998 Annual Report highlights the progress toward achieving the goal of providing safe and effective pest control (both traditional and biological) options for minor crop growers in an overall context of IPM compatible management systems.
In-Meeting Information/Discussion: Dr. Holm’s reported on the importance of minor crops to U.S. agriculture pointing out that three of the top seven states involved in minor crop production are in the southern region. Those states are Florida, Georgia, and Texas. In addition, Dr. Holm discussed the current environment and programs in which IR-4 is involved, management structure, and program milestones since the inception of IR-4 in 1963.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 5
S-009 Funding Request
Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization
SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE PAST FISCAL YEAR (1998)
Genetic resources representing 718 new accessions were received, increasing the Unit holdings to 79,315. New introductions represented a broad range of seven families, twenty-four genera, and forty-six species introduced from sixteen countries. More than 3,300 regenerations were accomplished at Griffin or through cooperators across various sites. In response to 770 requests, 25,854 items (corms, in-vitro, plants, rhizomes, and seed) were distributed with 92% being supplied to domestic users. More than 7,200 accessions were backed up for long-term storage at the National Seed Storage Laboratory (NSSL). Overall 72.4 percent of the 79,315 accessions have been backed up at the NSSL. However, several of the germplasm collections (Table 1) are in need of substantial work to increase the accessions that are backed up at NSSL. In complement 494,333 records of characteristic data were created and 72,237 records were modified to enhance the Germplasm Resource Inventory Network (GRIN) database. This extensive database of accession-specific information has increased the effectiveness and usefulness of the germplasm to the scientific community.
Core collections for Abelmoschus and Solanum melongena were identified. More than 100 microsatellite genetic markers were isolated and characterized for use in characterizingCitrullus genetic diversity. A set of 15 SSR markers for Sorghum sp. and seven SSR markers for Arachis hypogaea were developed to better manage these collections. Genetic markers have been identified for other crops including bahia grass, sweet potato, pigeonpea, bermudagrass, cassava, and limonium. Molecular techniques have also been developed for pathogen (virus) detection and elimination in germplasm stored in Griffin. As an example, a RT-PCR detection method for cowpea mottle carmovirus, a very serious pathogen of cowpeas in Africa and a potential threat for the U. S. was developed that is much more sensitive than ELISA, is very specific, and should help assure that this pathogen is not introduced into the U. S. or other areas where it is not indigenous. Four new viruses or virus/host relationships in legumes were also characterized. These techniques may be used to identify viral-contaminated seeds for elimination, and, thus, prevent the introduction of potentially devastating viral diseases into the US.
Both Trifolium alexandrinum and T. resupinatum (normally considered winter annuals) accessions have been regenerated during the spring and summer with production of high quality seed. Through collaborative efforts, we discovered that 5% Senna spp. and Ditera applied as a soil amendment reduced nematode gall indices to zero. Thus, Senna could be used as a rotation crop in the southeastern U.S. for control of specific nematode populations which devastate many crops in the region.
Major accomplishments with vegetable crops include: characterization of retrotransposons in sweetpotato, evaluation of the use of SSR loci for germplasm characterization in sweetpotato, acquisition and molecular systematic characterization of two new species of Citrullus, synthesis of interspecific hybrids among Citrullus spp., submission of a plant exploration proposal for acquisition of Capsicum spp. in Argentina, and isolation and sequencing of microsatellite loci in watermelon and pepper.
In collaboration with crop experts in various state institutions (Louisiana State University, University of Georgia, Oklahoma State University, North Carolina State University, University of Florida, etc.), 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 and have been or will be entered into the GRIN database.
A critical improvement was made to the infrastructure with the completion of the installation of a backup generator 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, sweetpotato, vegetable, and clover to determine diversity and redundancy in these germplasm collections . Pathology research will center on characterization and assay development for viruses of legumes and development of molecular techniques to eliminate viral diseases from the germplasm collection.
SUMMARY OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS Robert Lynch was assigned Acting Research Leader (RL) for the Plant Genetics Resources Conservation Unit after the resignation of Steve Kresovich. A new job description was prepared to replace the RL and a committee (Wayne Hanna (USDA), Andy Patterson (Univ. GA), Tom Stalker (NC State Univ.), Graves Gillaspie (PGRCU), Mark Hopkins (PGRCU), Ray Schnell II (USDA), Al Handler (USDA), and Paul Raymer (Univ. GA)) was established to review the applications. Applications for the RL position close March 1. Sharon Mitchell, the Molecular Biology Laboratory Coordinator, resigned in September. A job description was prepared and approved for a replacement and will be advertised as soon as a reporting date is established for the RL. A Research Coordinator II position description was prepared and advertised to hire a person to help develop molecular markers for the peanut collection. The position should be filled in late March – early April.
ACTION REQUESTED
We request a FY2000 budget approval of $375,224.
The most pressing problem for the PGRCU at Griffin is the lack of operation funds to maintain the collection and back up needed accessions. An example would be the watermelon collection (Table 1). As noted in a letter received from Dr. Benny Bruton, Chair of the Watermelon Research and Development Group, the percentage of accessions backed up at NSSL “would seem to indicate that the collection is ‘nearly’ in good shape. This is not the case! Of the 1367 accessions available for distribution, 111 accessions are down to an on hand quantity of 200 to 400 seeds. They are considered available, but below the critical replenishment level of 400 seeds. There are 275 additional accessions which are not available because the quantity is below 200 seeds or they are down to the original seeds only. This does not take into consideration the seed lots that have low viability……. In 1998, approximately 70 PIs were planted for increase with approximately 20 lost to stilborne disease. Money for methyl bromide fumigation …… would cost about $4,000. …. The bottom line is that there is some progress being made, but at a very slow pace. At the rate of 50 PI increases per year, I calculate that it will take 12 to 13 years just to get caught up.”
Watermelon increases are very expensive. In addition to the above, all increases must be grown inside screened cages and bees must be rented at a cost of approximately $6,000 per year to provided pollination.
This situation is similar among several crops in the collection. Assigned operating budgets for the curators in FY99 range from $10,000 to $23,000. This amount simply is not sufficient to perform the needed regenerations to characterize and back up the collection and develop markers that identify variability/ redundancy in the collection in a timely manner. This request for an additional $40,000 in operating funds is a minimum needed to support the back and regeneration work. These funds will be targeted to high priority crops in need of immediate attention.
Most of the curators have prepared and submitted requests for outside funding to supplement their operating budgets. Even so, the S-9 program remains seriously underfunded.
| FY 98 | FY 99 | REQUESTED FY 00 | |
| Personnel | $219,618 | $271,702a | $282,569b |
| Travel | 500 | 500 | 500 |
| Operations | 39,062 | 49,155c | 89,155d |
| Equipment | 2,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| TOTAL | $261,180 | $324,357 | $375,224 |
B. USDA/ARS
| FY 98 | FY 99 | PLANNED FY 00 | |
| Personnel | $1,051,402 | $1,120,600e | $1,127,595f |
| Travel | 9,000 | 9,000 | 9,000 |
| Indirect Research Cost | 249,576 | 230,000 | 241,500 |
| Operation | 135,309 | 130,502 | 62,346 |
| Equipment | 3,000 | 3,000 | 4,000 |
| Construction | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Building and Field Maintenance/Support |
47,140 | 49,025 | 50,986 |
| TOTAL | $1,495,427 | $1,542,127 | $1,495,427 |
a This category includes a Research Coordinator I ($38,907) position funded with $50K approved by the agInnovation South in FY99 to assist in molecular research primarily on peanut.
b This category includes an average 4% increase in salaries based on projections established by the University of Georgia.
c This category includes the remainder of the budget increase funds for FY99 ($11,093) approved by the agInnovation South.
d This category includes a request for an additional $40,000 in operating for the collection back up and regeneration.
e Salaries for FY99 includes $46,700 provided by USDA/ARS/NPS to cover a postdocs salary for work on molecular biology.
f This category includes an average 4% projected increase in salaries.
| Table 1. Status of germplasm back up for the Plant Genetic Resource Conservation Unit as of Feb. 5, 1999. | |||
| Crop | Total Accessions | Backed Up at NSSL | Percent Backed Up |
| Bamboo | 95 | 47 | 49.5 |
| Castor | 362 | 356 | 98.3 |
| Clover | 1,944 | 1,423 | 73.2 |
| Cucurbits | 1,333 | 839 | 62.9 |
| Eggplant | 937 | 918 | 98.0 |
| Gourds | 464 | 306 | 66.0 |
| Grasses | 6,952 | 1,357 | 19.5 |
| Guar | 413 | 406 | 98.3 |
| Hybiscus | 357 | 289 | 81.0 |
| Ipomoea spp. | 1,072 | 223 | 20.8 |
| Legumes | 2,905 | 2,290 | 78.8 |
| Luffa | 159 | 130 | 81.8 |
| Miscellaneous | 269 | 244 | 90.7 |
| Okra | 3,060 | 1,911 | 62.5 |
| Pepper | 3,876 | 2,088 | 53.9 |
| Pearl millet | 448 | 411 | 91.7 |
| Peanut | 9,251 | 8,056 | 87.1 |
| Sesame | 1,203 | 1,203 | 100.0 |
| Sorghum | 29,900 | 23,520 | 78.7 |
| Vigna | 12,512 | 9,876 | 78.9 |
| Watermelon | 1,637 | 1,503 | 91.8 |
| Wingbean | 166 | 18 | 10.8 |
| Totals | 79,315 | 57,414 | 72.4 |
In-Meeting Information/Discussion: Dr. Arkin’s report noted that there are three highlights in the program: 1) the regeneration level is high; 2) collection size has doubled to almost 80,000 accessions; and 3) curators are developing markers to better utilize and enhance the collection.A motion by Dr. Arkin to approve funding at the requested level was tabled until other off-the-top funding issues were discussed. At such time, the following action was taken.
ACTION TAKEN
| On motion/second by Drs. Jones/Kriz, an increase of $20,000 to the S-009’s FY99 budget was approved. A motion/second by Drs. Richardson/Kriz regarding placement of a caveat on the increase was tabled by a motion/second of Drs. Jones/Kriz. The action on a caveat will be taken up at the Southern Region Land Grant Conference in August. |
Agenda Item 6a
ESCOP Committee I. Budget, Legislative, Marketing, and Advocacy
Presenter: Larry Rogers
BACKGROUND
Dr. Rogers, one of the Southern region representatives to ESCOP’s Budget, Legislative, Marketing and Advocacy Committee, will provide an update on activities of this committee.
In-Meeting Information: Dr. Rogers presented information on the committee’s charge, its membership, and issues that will be addressed by the committee.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 6b
ESCOP Committee II. Science and Technology
BACKGROUND
This committee is designated as ESCOP Core Committee II. It is charged with “organizing the collection of national research projects into a cohesive portfolio of research programs that support sustained federal appropriations for SAES research endeavors.” Nancy Cox and Bill Brown represent the Southern Region. The Committee held a telephone conference call meeting on February 5, 1999. This initial meeting opened discussion on the possible need for additional committee membership and on the number and types of subcommittees needed. The “Science Roadmap” was also briefly discussed and will be reviewed and refined. A face-to-face meeting of the S & T Committee has been set for May 12 in Washington, D.C.
In-Meeting Information: Dr. Brown distributed a copy of the Committee’s web page and indicated that work on the Science Roadmap, an activity chaired by Randy Woodson, is ongoing.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 6c
ESCOP Committee III. Partnerships
BACKGROUND
The Partnerships Committee was created as part of the restructuring of ESCOP. Initial discussion by ESCOP leadership called for the Partnerships Committee to address the following:
- Implementation of the Plan of Work requirement in the 1998 AREERA
- Coordination of multi-state activities
- SUNEI
- Exploration of other opportunities to partner with Federal agencies in manners similar to the SUNEI activities related to environment.
D. C. Coston is chair, Lee Sommers (CO) is vice-chair, and Dave MacKenzie is the Executive Director working with the Committee.
The Committee held its initial meeting March 30-31. Results of those discussions will be presented.
In-Meeting Information: Dr. Coston presented an overview of this committee’s thrusts. An outcome of the committee’s March 30-31 meeting was the identification of three main areas of concentration which will be presented to the ESCOP Executive Committee at its April 13-14 meeting. These areas of concentration are:1. Reestablish the partnership with CSREES. Items discussed included: establishing shared long term goals with roles clearly defined; identifying common interests among research, teaching, extension, and CSREES; understanding of and becoming more responsive to each others needs; and establishment of a shared Continuous Quality Improvement initiative.
The proposal is for development of a comprehensive “partnership” plan between CSREES and the Land Grant system that includes the philosophical basis first then the “plan” itself. It should be mindful that we are a nationally linked system of state universities. The Partnerships Committee is referring this to the Planning Committee for consideration.
2. Plans of Work: The Partnerships Committee suggests that the process of development of Plans of Work should be worthwhile and in the spirit of the AREERA of 1998. Suggestions of how to help assure this include: CSREES should consider ways to provide incentives for missions at an institution or multiple institutions in a state to cooperate in development of POW’s. The Committee also suggests that CSREES consider having university personnel involved in review of the plans which are submitted later in 1999.
3. Partnerships: The Committee reviewed the SUNEI success story. The Committee is interested in helping foster additional successes of this nature. At its next meeting the Committee will continue to examine what defines and helps assure success of such initiatives and will seek to identify other topic areas for potential pursuit. The Committee also seeks input on who should “define” areas in which to seek partnership development.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 6c1
ESCOP Environmental Affairs SubCommittee
SUNEI Activities Update
BACKGROUND
- Current Activities:
Activities focused primarily on strengthening and broadening the partnerships with EPA and NASA.
- EPA:
In 1999, the joint competitive grants program for Water and Watersheds between EPA, NSF, and USDA was renewed. CSREES may work with NOAA and EPA to develop language for the research announcement on Harmful Algal Blooms. Land-Grant University (LGU) faculty have become more engaged in EPA peer review panels and program reviews.
Recently, SUNEI expanded its relationship beyond the EPA-Office of Research and Development (ORD) by participating in an ORD hosted Community Based Environmental Protection (CBEP) meeting. There were representatives from many EPA offices including EPA’s Office of Water (OW) and EPA’s Regional CBEP offices, as well as, USDA-CSREES and NRCS. SUNEI will continue to work with this ad hoc group who are very interested in working with the Land-Grant University System.
- NASA:
SUNEI has worked closely with several NASA offices. In particular, the Goddard Space Flight Center Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC). SUNEI has collaborated on a series of Remote Sensing/Precision Agriculture Outreach Meetings with LGU institutions. These have been held at Arizona, Montana State, Florida, and North Carolina State. There is an additional outreach meeting scheduled at Penn State on May 21. The purpose of these meetings is to lay the foundation for a LGU-led National Remote Sensing Network.
SUNEI has also been in regular communications with the Office of Earth Science (OES). This office has issued three research announcements relevant to agriculture and natural resources during the last year: Earth Science Information Partners; Regional Earth Science Applications Centers; and Remote Sensing Applications Research in Agriculture, Forestry, and Range Resources Management. Ghassem Asrar, the Associate Administrator for OES, has asked USDA to contribute funding to the last solicitation.
- Other Activities: SUNEI met again with a group of individuals in the OSTP-Environment Division. SUNEI also meet with the new Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment (NRE ), Glenda Humiston; and with Robert Lewis, Director of Research at the Forest Service. Plans are underway to meet with Tom Hebert, the former Deputy Under Secretary of NRE; Chuck Fox, Assistant Administrator of EPA-OW; Norine Noonan, Assistant Administrator of EPA-ORD; and with DOE representatives.
- Plans for the Upcoming Year:
There is an interest in assisting EPA and NASA with their budget efforts that would directly benefit the SAES and LGU System programs. SUNEI has been working with AESOP to define an environmental portfolio that will be included in the broader Board on Agriculture (BOA) Budget. AESOP has also asked SUNEI to identify specific funding lines in agencies where the LGU System can have an impact on congressional testimony.
SUNEI will continue to strengthen and broaden the engagements with EPA and NASA and will expand partnership activities to include other agencies (e.g., DOE, EPA-OW, NRCS, and the Forest Service). We also intend to continue to dialogue with OSTP and participate in relevant USDA Remote Sensing and Weather and Climate coordinating committees, and the up-coming Forestry Summit meeting.
Both EPA and NASA have requested matching funds for mutually beneficial competitive grants programs. No formal mechanism appears in place for appropriate budgeting. SUNEI will focus its efforts this year with the assistance of AESOP and the BOA Budget Committee to find creative solutions to this problem.
- ESCOP Recommendation:
- Committee Membership Changes:
- SUNEI recommended to ESCOP that the Environmental Affairs Subcommittee may fit appropriately under the domain of the new ESCOP Partnership Committee.
- Melvin Walker (1890s Georgia) will be replaced by Steve Kolison, Jr., who is the Research Director at Tennessee State.
In-Meeting Information: In addition to highlights from the above information, Dr. Arkin presented the following:
- SUNEI is planning a carbon sequestration stakeholder partnership meeting sometime in the fall, 1999. Participants will include federal and non-federal agency, industry, and commodity groups, and faculty representatives. Dr. Arkin asked Directors to provide the names of key faculty working in this area who would be interested in planning and participating in the workshop.
- EPA officials have expressed a desire to meet with Land-Grant administrators. Dr. Arkin will explore the possibilities of sosuthern EPA administrators attending the August Southern Region Land-Grant Conference in Baton Rouge.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 6d
ESCOP Core Committee IV. Planning
BACKGROUND
The ESCOP Planning Committee’s first meeting was held March 29 at NASULGC in Washington, D. C. The primary discussion centered around the committee’s charges. These charges included the following:
- From the ESCOP Strategic Plan:
- Couple the processes of national strategic planning with federal budget development and advocacy.
- Action Items:
- Create a process for consensus building on a limited set of strategically important national priorities.
- Provide a process for identifying national initiatives, suitable for concerted promotion.
- Join with ECOP to plan and promote common priorities and initiatives.
- Couple the processes of national strategic planning with federal budget development and advocacy.
- From ESCOP Core Committee descriptions:
- Create a forum within the land-grant university community, its partners, and stakeholders to solicit information on research issues and priorities, and incorporate them into ESS’s ongoing strategic planning process.
- Develop recommendations for new research initiatives and strategies for implementing strategic plans in ways that benefit multi-state, multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary approaches.
- Recommend ways to support the development of impact statements derived from the implementation of the ESS strategic plan.
The ESCOP-PC also discussed the Committee’s role in the continuing joint ESCOP/ECOP long-range planning and futuring activities.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 7a
CSREES Report
BACKGROUND
Dr. Bob Koopman, newly appointed CSREES liaison to agInnovation South, presents the following CSREES Update:
FY 2000 President’s Budget Proposal Released
A summary of the President’s Budget Proposal for USDA/CSREES as presented to the Congress of the United States is available on the CSREES web page: http//www.reeusda.gov, click on the legislation/budget button then click on the topic “CSREES Budget and current funding authorizations.” Or just click on or go to: http://www.reeusda.gov/budget/webfund.htm You will find three of the President’s Budget Proposals and current appropriations and FY 2000 President’s Budget Proposal for CSREES programs. Please feel free to share their information as appropriate.
POW Guidelines to be Published for Public Comment
The Plan of Work (POW) Guidelines will be published in the Federal Register for public comment as soon as the internal reviews are completed. CSREES is committed to a set of basic principles regarding the POW process, central to which is keeping it simple. This means we are emphasizing the content in the POW rather than the format. Put simply, we are developing guidance about what goes into a POW, not how it is to be provided.
Thus, CSREES does not intend to develop a prototype, template, or a model plan of work. We realize that we will get a lot of variations in response to the POW guidelines. However, we are committed to allowing all institutions maximum flexibility in responding to the content required by legislation. In that regard, each institution or state must submit a plan. Regional plans may be developed, if appropriate, and institutions can reference a regional plan in their plan of work. However, a regional plan cannot substitute for an institution’s POW.
We do not expect that the POW guidelines will require substantial training to be implemented. We are planning a video conference to introduce and review the guidelines when released. Second, we are planning a question/answer session during the Administrative Officers’ meeting in Salt Lake City at the end of April. Many institutions will be well along with development of their plan at that time, but this session will give institutions an opportunity to ask any questions that have presented themselves as they have worked through the process.
We are considering hosting a workshop next fall or winter when the initial review process is complete. Institutional and CSREES staff will share positives and negatives of the process and learn from one another what was effective and efficient in meeting the POW requirement. In addition, we are aggressively working to improve our information and management systems and encouraging institutions to do the same. In this regard, a shared learning activity, the “National Workshop on Managing Information in the 21st Century University. It will be held on February 25-26, 1999. Partners are encouraged to participate and learn from these experiences.
We have had numerous questions to date and invite you to make comments when the guidelines are published. We fully intend to work with institutions during the spring and summer to be sure that all formula funds are released on time at the beginning of the next fiscal year.
Proposed Rule – Special Research Grants Program (Section 212)
This proposed rule will amend the Special Research Grants Program Administrative Regulations to replace references to section 2 of the Act of August 4, 1965, with references to the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (CSFRGA), to apply to competitive and noncompetitive grants, to include extension and educational activities under the regulation, to shorten the maximum potential grant award period, to require grantees to arrange for scientific peer review of their proposed research activities and merit review of their proposed extension and education activities prior to award, in accordance with subsection (c)(5) of CSFRGA, as amended by section 212 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)(5)), and to require an annual report of the results of the research, extension, or education activity and the merit of the results. For a copy of this rule go to: http://www.reeusda.gov/crgam/oep/212/pr212.htm
Risk Management: Research and Education Programs
ECS continues to work with USDA’s Risk Management Agency and the Office of Outreach, along with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in developing new risk management programs. For FY 1999 our funding for this activity dropped from $4 million (including education efforts) to $100,000. We hope that FY 2000 will bring about increased funding to build on these activities. Major accomplishments include funding 17 competitive Risk Management Education programs – 5 of which were specifically research focused, and the creation of a National Ag Risk Education Library Web Site at U. of Minnesota – go to http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/Default1.htm. Contact Don West at (202) 720-5633.
“Mobilizing the Social and Human Sciences Workshop”
Will be held in Washington DC, May 13-14, 1999. The goal of the workshop is to develop an action plan to enhance the value of agricultural research and education through the social sciences as individual disciplines and as partners in interdisciplinary work. Contact John Michael at (202) 720-7947.
Y2K Training the Trainers Regional Meetings
CSREES is working with NIST/MEP, and the Small Business Administration to provide Y2K evaluation and remediation workshops for small and agricultural related enterprises. Four regional meetings occurred in March, with extension participation from nearly every state. The next steps involve in-state meetings and further training of additional trainers. Full training of business owners and farmers is targeted to begin in May and continue through December of 1999. To see the materials developed thus far go to: http://y2khelp.nist.gov/tool.nsf/frmIF?ReadForm Contact Ted Maher at (202) 720-4564.
New Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program Products
The delicate relationship between people and the world they inhabit is explored in a new three-part documentary miniseries, JOURNEY TO PLANET EARTH, premiering Tuesday, April 6, 10-11 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings). The second in the series, funded in part by USDA-CSREES’s SARE program, Land of Plenty, Land of Want (April 20, 10-11 p.m. ET) visits diverse farming communities on four continents to examine worldwide problems of feeding a growing population. Segments come from Zimbabwe, France, China, and the United States.
SARE’s latest publication, “Diversify Crops to Boost Profits and Stewardship”, is a 12-page informational bulletin to help farmers and agricultural educators begin thinking about how to diversify, encompassing new cash crops, cover crops and agroforestry. It is particularly timely, since low prices for most conventional commodities are stimulating many growers to search for alternative crops and markets. It is available on the web (www.sare.org) in both PDF and HTML Contact Jill Auburn at (202) 720 -5384.
Implementation of the new Workforce Investment Act of 1998
The Department of Labor will be generating new interest on trends and profiles of the rural labor force. Private Industry Councils will be transformed into Workforce Investment Boards and required to develop new strategic plans. Farmers and ranchers now qualify for a number of the sponsored re-training activities. The Southern Rural Development Center is working to receive funding from DOL for analysis of Southern Labor Markets. Greg Crosby and Randy Williams of CSREES are providing contacts in Washington.
Entrepreneurial Agriculture
Popular trade publications in the agricultural industry are now writing about the new wave of opportunity and need for agricultural-based entrepreneurial business development. Research efforts need to guide farmers and ranchers as to where emerging opportunities exist. A number of the large agricultural corporations are now looking for start-up ventures to capitalize. Contact Randy Williams at (202) 720-0743.
1999 Urban Conference Slated for April
The 1999 Urban Conference will be held at the Marriott Hotel, Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan, April 27-29, 1999. The National Urban Task Force will hold a pre-conference for county, regional, and state directors, April 26-27, entitled “Urban Extension: Responding to the New Millennium.” For further information please contact: MAURICE W. DORSEY at 202-720-6014; mdorsey@reeusda.gov, or click on “Upcoming Events” in the “New and Information section of the CSREES Home Page (http://www.reesuda.gov).
New CRIS Taxonomy Ready for Distribution
After more than 2 years of review, modification, and testing, the new Current Research Information System (CRIS) taxonomy is ready for distribution to participating institutions. Beginning January 15, 1999, the CRIS home page (http://cristel.nal.usda.gov:8080) will provide a link to an electronic version of the new Manual of Classification of Agricultural and Forestry Research. Paper copies of the manual will be available approximately 60 to 90 days later. As of February 1, 1999, all new and revised projects submitted to the CRIS office must be classified in accordance with the new taxonomy. Later in the spring of 1999, most of the projects currently residing in the database (those active in FY 1998 and later) will be reclassified to the new taxonomy. Conversion of the entire CRIS system will be completed by the fall of 1999. Questions should be directed to the CRIS office at 301-504-6846 or by email at cris@cris.nal.usda.gov.
ECOP/ESCOP IMAGE ENHANCEMENT (1999)
The 1999 ECOP/ESCOP Image Enhancement Project is well underway. The Impact Database for 1999 was opened on January 4, 1999, and is being populated by land-grant university partners. The database will remain open until mid-February. The 1999 Impact Writing team will meet in Washington, D.C., February 23-26, to write the 1999 Science and Education Impact fact sheet series. This year the writing team will also be addressing regional research/extension/education projects and will prepare a regional project “fact sheet” on one project from each region. These fact sheets will serve as templates/models for development of other regional impact reports. The 1999 Science and Education Impact fact sheets will be ready for release in early April 1999.
Update on the National Research Initiative
The next NRI Regional Grantsmanship workshop is scheduled for the Southern Region. In past years, these highly subscribed workshops have been held during the fall at a location that is easily reached by a large number of potential participants. The previous Southern Grantsmanship Workshop was held in Atlanta and hosted by Auburn (1995). We ask the Southern Directors to work towards designating a host institution and a potential site for the fall, 1999 workshop. The National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program (NRICGP) is in the middle of its funding cycle, with the first panels meeting this month. It is anticipated that the review cycle will be completed by July, 1999.
The FY99 appropriation increased the NRI budget by almost 25% to $119 million. The increase enabled the NRI to broaden it programs to include Epidemiological Approaches to Food Safety, Animal Genomics Reagents and Tools, the U.S. Rice Sequencing Project, and to add emphasis to small farms in the Agricultural Systems program. The first 3 programs mentioned will award large, multi institutional projects in the range of a total award of $1.0m to $2.0 m a year for The Rice Sequencing Project. In addition to new programs, the NRI will use increases to increase the size of awards in its current programs.
The FY 2000 Presidential budget recommends a 75% increase for the NRI, to $200 million. Part of the proposed increases will be targeted towards research on Food Safety and Agricultural Genomics, and to increase the social science content in a number of program areas. Environmental issues, such as animal waste, and invasive species are also designated as emphasis areas should new funding be forthcoming.
The National Academy of Sciences is conducting an evaluation of the NRI program. Beginning in the fall of 1997 and lasting for 18 months, a NAS National Research Council committee will examine the NRI program to assess its impact, and to make recommendation on where the program should go in the future. The Report of this study is expected to be issue in summer of 1999.
The NRI is currently soliciting applications for the following positions:
- Division Director: Natural Resources and Environment (GS 15)
- Program Director: Plant Biochemistry and Physiology
The NRI welcomed Dr. Mike O’neil as program director for Soils and Soils Biology, Water Resources Assessment and Protection, and Ecosystem Sciences. The NRI continues to strive to fund the highest quality science that will provide the knowledge base necessary to solve today’s and future agricultural problems, and to encourage talented scientists to pursue research in agriculture. Visit the NRI home page at: http://www.reeusda.gov/nri/nricgp.htm
FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES FOOD SAFETY
Conference Dates and Location Announced: April 6 and 7 are the dates selected for the USDA-FDA-CDC National Food Safety Science and Education Conference to be held in Orlando, FLA. A CSREES-led steering committee is planning the conference, which will bring together industry, academia, and federal and state governments to develop the crucial components of an effective education and outreach program for domestic growers and producers of fresh fruits and vegetables. This effort will help implement FDA’s new “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables.” Land-grant faculty seeking to develop closer ties and to work more cooperatively with the grower/producer industry are encouraged to attend. See http://www.reeusda.gov/pas/programs/foodsafety/flconference.htm for more conference information, or contact Jan Singleton, PAS Food Science and Food Safety NPL, at jsingleton@reeusda.gov. FDA will conduct an additional conference on April 26-28 in College Park, MD, focusing on international outreach and education for growers and producers of imported produce.
KEEP AMERICA GROWING
This is an update on the Keep America Growing Conference scheduled June 6-9, in Philadelphia, PA. CSREES is a conference sponsor. As a result of the call for papers, 20 percent of the allotted speaking roles represent the university structure. Larry Biles, NRE Forestry NPL, has been recruiting Ag and Natural Resources leaders to participate as regional facilitators, panelists; and table facilitators. For the conference web site, see http://www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/CCS/KAGnrcs.html. If you have problems with the previous link, then try http://www.nrcs.usda.gov then go to the lower right corner and click on Keep America Growing Box. Note: this url is case sensitive. For more information, contact Larry Biles at lbiles@reeusda.gov.
PERSONNEL
Escobar Joins PAS Small Farm Team — Nelson Escobar has joined the PAS Small Farm Program team for a one-year assignment. On loan from Langston University, Escobar has a Ph.D. in Animal Production from the University of Maryland-College Park. At Langston, Escobar provided nationally-recognized leadership for Cooperative Extension System programs for small ruminants, especially goats. He brings a wealth of experience in working with small farmers in and around Oklahoma along with a strong sense of extension program development. Escobar serves as state-wide co-coordinator for sustainable agriculture in Oklahoma for the Southern Region SARE program. Before coming to Langston, he held a research position at Prairie View A&M University. His CSREES email address is eescobar@reeusda.gov. Welcome Nelson.
Knighton is New NRE Soil Scientist — Ray Knighton will be leaving North Dakota State University to join the NRE staff on July 6 as a national program leader for soil science. Knighton completed his B.S. and M.S. degrees in soil science at Utah State University, and his Ph.D. at Cornell University in soil physics. His most recent research dealt with developing best management practices under irrigated corn production to protect water quality and remote monitoring of water and solute movement in the saturated and unsaturated zone. Knighton has been an associate editor for the Journal of Environmental Quality and chair of the Computer Applications Committee/ American Society of Agronomy. He has been a panelist and panel manager for the NRICGP Water Resources Assessment and Protection program. See you after the Fourth of July, Ray.
Strickland Joins NRE — Tim Strickland, former program director for the NRICGP Agricultural Systems program, has joined NRE staff as a national program leader with broad responsibilities in soils, microbiology, and water quality. Strickland completed his Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Georgia. He has been program director for the NRICGP programs on ecosystems, water quality, soils and soil biology, and the NSF/DOE/EPA/USDA Joint Program on Terrestrial Ecology and Climate Change. Strickland has provided liaison to the REE Mission Area as a special assistant for Science and Technology and to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. His email address will remain tstrickland@reeusda.gov. Welcome Tim.
Maggard Joins ECS — Sally Ward Maggard has joined the Economic and Community Systems Unit as of March 15. As National Program Leader, Dr. Maggard will provide overall leadership for CSREES-USDA Rural Sociology programs, with an emphasis on rural development. Responsible for rural sociology research and extension administration, her duties will include planning, organizing, managing, and approving programs and projects of national and international scope and impact which are carried out by land grant universities and cooperating institutions. Specific program areas include community vitality and sustainability, human resource development, rural economic and social infrastructure, rural poverty, and environmental and natural resource issues. In her new position, Dr. Maggard will continue to serve as Editor of the Journal of Appalachian Studies, the official journal of the Appalachian Studies Association, a position she has held since 1997.
Dr. Maggard has devoted her professional career to understanding social and economic change in the Appalachian Region. Sally was tenured Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology and Adjunct Associate Professor of History at West Virginia University where she has also served as a Faculty Research Associate at the Regional Research Institute and as a Faculty Associate in Women’s Studies. In 1998-1999 she served as Chair of the WVU Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee, and in 1998 she was elected to the Executive Committee of the WVU Faculty Senate. The Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at WVU selected Dr. Maggard as an Outstanding Teacher in 1996, and in 1994 she served as a Pro Kultura Foundation Fellow and guest lecturer at Godollo University, Hungary. Dr. Maggard has previously held positions as Assistant Director, The Appalachian Center at the University of Kentucky, Core Summer Faculty at the Appalachian Ministries Educational Research Center in Berea, Kentucky, Director of the Council of the Southern Mountains, Instructor of Sociology at Hazard Community College, and Instructor of Sociology and Anthropology at Berea College. She attended the University of Kentucky as a Rockefeller Foundation Fellow and in 1989 earned her Ph.D. degree there in sociology. She earned her M.S. degree in sociology from Purdue University and her B.A. degree in sociology from Muskingum College. Dr. Maggard brings direct experience in production agriculture to her new position at USDA. A native of Hazard, Kentucky, during the 1980s she raised cattle in partnership with her father, Clarence Maggard, in several farming operations in central and eastern Kentucky. Welcome Sally!
In-Meeting Information: Dr. Koopman highlighted the following:
- The new CSREES administrator has not been named to date.
- CSREES is moving its offices to 800 9th Street. George Cooper and the Partnerships Office will move on May 1 and others will move by October 1.
- The Plan of Work is expected to be published in the Federal Register by the end of April. Directors are requested to send comments regarding the need to have timelines for Plan of Work reporting the same as CRIS reporting deadlines.
- The 2001 budget process is beginning. In this regard, the National Program Leaders are meeting May 18 and Directors are invited to provide feedback to them prior to that date.
- Reporting under the GPRA Performance Plan is now an agency requirement only and thus states do not need to report against GPRA plans submitted earlier. (An official announcement to this effect is forthcoming.)
Specific language defining Peer Review versus Merit Review was presented. In effect, Peer Review is done by experts with the scientific knowledge to conduct the research. Merit Review is done by those having expertise to evaluate the proposed research for its merit.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 7b
Presenter: Chuck Onstad
BACKGROUND
A report of current ARS activities will be presented defining National Programs and the peer review process.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 7c
BACKGROUND
The NRCS liaison to agInnovation South, Bill Puckett, will meet in late March with the group planning the Regional Cooperative Soil Survey Meeting for 2000 and will report to the agInnovation South at the August meeting.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 7d
Association of Southern Region Extension Directors (ASRED) Report
BACKGROUND
Dr. Jon Ort, agInnovation South’s liaison to the Southern Region Extension Directors, will report on the most recent activities of the ECOP Strategic Planning Committee and the proposals for the next phase which includes ESCOP and ECOP working closely together on a strategic basis.
In-Meeting Information: Dr. David Foster, Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Director, reported on behalf of Dr. Ort. Items of interest are:
- ASRED will hold its fall meeting in conjunction with Southern Region Land-Grant Conference
- ASRED is exploring options to hire a half-time clerical person for the Association.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 7e
AESOP Report
BACKGROUND
Dr. Nipp will discuss activities of AESOP Enterprises.
In-Meeting Information: Dr. Nipp, by teleconference, presented updates on the following:
- legislative concerns
- appropriation process
- discussion piece for the ESCOP Executive Committee on ways to enhance partnerships and enhance AESOP’s effectiveness
- marketing strategy — 3 phases:
- Develop message that the public recognizes
- Develop product for use at local and national levels
- Develop national media campaign (including campaign to raise support dollars through industry, etc.)
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 8
Implementation of AREERA
BACKGROUND
Dr. Helms will present information and lead discussions on issues related to implementation of AREERA.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information, discussion, and action as appropriate.
ACTION TAKEN
| On motion by Drs. Young/Jones, the draft proposal to “Improve and Expand Multi-State and Multi-Region Programs” was approved. The Experiment Station will be represented by the agInnovation South Planning Committee consisting of Dr. Eric Young, Chair, with members Dr. Nancy Cox, Dr. Jim Fischer, Dr. Gerald Jubb, and Dr. Charles Scifres. Dr. Foster (Extension) and Dr. Helms will begin collecting information on SERAs. |
Agenda Item 9
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 10
Report from the Chief Operating Officers Meeting
Presenter: Jerry Cherry
BACKGROUND
A report of actions taken by Chief Operating Officers (COO) will be reported to the general assembly of agInnovation South.
In-Meeting Information: Dr. Cherry reported that COO voted to continue funding of the Executive Director’s office.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 11
Executive Director’s Annual Report
to the agInnovation South
Presenter: T.J. Helms
Introduction
This report marks the third anniversary of my appointment as the Executive Director for your Association. During the past year we have continued to conduct the business of the Association in the manner prescribed by your action three years ago. I sincerely hope we have fulfilled every expectation you have of this office. This FY ‘99 annual report is organized around the topics of general comments, regional activities, and national activities.
General Comments
The Office of the Executive Director continues to be co-located with the Southern Rural Development Center. The Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State University serves as the host experiment station. Offices for both SRDC and the agInnovation South were relocated to the Bost Extension Center during December 1998.
I shall reiterate my comments made last year about the performance of Anna Marie Rasberry in her role as Assistant to the Executive Director. Based on the comments received from the majority of you and from my personal observations, her performance is indeed exemplary. 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. In addition to serving as the webmaster for the Association’s homepage, Anna Marie also serves ESCOP in the same capacity. Her mastery of HTML language is constantly revealed in the improvements made in these homepages. As always, we invite your comments and suggestions about the format and content of our homepage.
Please remember that inasmuch as the Office of the Executive Director maintains the archives for the Association, we ask that you remember to provide us with copies of all proposals, reports, minutes of meetings, and correspondence related to projects.
Regional Activities
Making on-site visits to your stations continues to be a high priority for me. These visits are useful from the standpoints that they allow me to be 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.
The Southern Regional Data Support System, the grant-supported project from agInnovation South to the MSU Social Science Research Center (SSRC), continues to function under the leadership of Dr. Arthur Cosby. A report on one of the major studies conducted this year will be presented during the meeting in Lexington, KY. 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. Funding for the project is scheduled to continue through June 30, 1999. (See the appended annual report for this activity.) A request for continuation will be presented during the Lexington, KY meeting.
Regional assignments include:
- T-STAR (Tropical/Subtropical Agricultural Research Program) administrative group (C-BAG).
- agInnovation South Liaison Representative to the Association of Southern Regional Extension Directors, ASRED.
- agInnovation South Liaison Representative to the 1890 Association of Research Directors.
- Member, Tecoman Cotton Winter Nursery Committee (National Cotton Council)
- Joint Cotton Breeding Advisory Committee (National Cotton Council)
- Beltwide Cotton Conference Steering Committee
National Activities
AREERA Implementation. Considerable energy has been expended throughout this year on implementation of AREERA (a.k.a., “The Farm Bill”) and will, of course, continue through the next several months. The CRIS staff have generated a large number of reports for each of the regions which we have adapted for our purposes and placed on the agInnovation South website. Hopefully, some or all of these will be useful in the development of your 5-year POWs.
We had expected Paperless Management of Regional Research to be fully operational during the late summer/early fall of last year. However, projects such as these require the full support and attention of our colleagues in CSREES. We continue to be hopeful that the system will be operational very soon.
The CRIS Enhancement Team was nominated for and received one of the Secretary’s Group Honor Awards for 1998.
Dr. Barbara White, formerly Deputy Administrator, USDA/CSREES/CTDE, asked me to chair the CTDE external review team during the last quarter of federal FY 98. Hopefully, this review will have set a precedent for the other units within CSREES to follow.
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 Subcommittee
- Legislative and Budget Development Subcommittees
- Strategic Planning Subcommittee
- Regional Research Partnership Subcommittee
- Joint ESCOP/ACOP Leadership Development
- Science and Technology Subcommittee, Vice-Chair
OTHER NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- REEIS – Steering Committee (Subcommittee on Needs Assessment — Chair)
- REEIS – Chair, Technical Committee
( Association homepage contains a complete listing of T.J. Helms’ Assignments ).
Appendix 1:
Southern Region Data Support System Progress Report
For the period August 26, 1998 – March 25, 1999
For more information Contact:
Steve Barlow, Project Director
PO Box 5287, MS State, MS 39762
(601) 325-1895
Since August of 1998 we have acquired national annual CRIS (Current Research Information System) data-files for the period 1970-1997. The data-files have been combined into one large searchable database on the SSRC’s (Social Science Research Center) network drive and backed up on CD-ROM. The database is more than 200 megabytes in size.
The database has enabled us to fulfill requests for data on a timely basis. For example, Dr. Warren Couvillion, Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University, and Dr. Jim Hansen, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Arkansas—Fayetteville, requested information concerning annual cost of rice related research for four southern states from 1970-1997. These data were used to evaluate the economic impact of rice research in the south. Filling this request and extensive experience gained in other projects have allowed us to develop the necessary data handling skills required to respond in a timely manner to future requests.
Another noted achievement on the project includes integrating USDA-NASS Crop and Livestock County Data files into a national GIS (Geographic Information System). This GIS will allow thematic mapping at the county level of various crops and livestock by, for instance, production level.
SanPier Sims, a PhD student at the SSRC, is undergoing extensive training on the use of the searchable database. She is also involved in producing a comprehensive report of research resources expended by all Southern Agricultural Experiment Stations. We hope to set up an informative useful report so that annual reporting of CRIS data can be facilitated.
A wall map, as well as a figure to be included in the above report, depicting the locations of the Southern Agricultural Experiment Stations and Substations is currently being compiled. A searchable CRIS database located on the SSRC’s Web Server with a link to the Southern Association of Agricultural Directors Website is also currently a work-in-progress.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
ACTION TAKEN
| On motion/second by Drs. Scifres/Coston, Directors approved continuance of level funding to support the contract with the Social Science Research Center (SSRC). Directors asked that the SSRC give a full report at the Southern Region Land-Grant Conference in Baton Rouge in August. |
Agenda Item 12
Report of the Nominating Committee
BACKGROUND
The agInnovation South Nominating Committee, consisting of Chair, Richard Jones, with members, D. C. Coston and Jerry Arkin, will present a nominee for the position of agInnovation South Chair-Elect. The term of office for this position begins at the close of the NASULGC meeting November, 1999. The Chair-Elect serves a one-year term and then assumes duties as Chair.
ACTION REQUESTED
Election of the Chair-Elect.
ACTION TAKEN
| On motion/second by Drs. Coston/Kriz, the nomination of Dr. John Beverly as agInnovation South Chair-Elect was approved. |
Agenda Item 13
National Research Support Projects (NRSP)
Off-the-Top Funding Requests for FY ’00
Presenters: Administrative Advisers for NRSPs
BACKGROUND
The following off-the-top funding requests for FY99 will be considered by the association with one vote per state determining the agInnovation South’s recommendation.
| Act. # (Adviser) |
NRSP Title | FY 99 Approved |
FY00 Requested* |
| NRSP-1 E. Young |
Research Planning Using the Current Research Information System (CRIS) (see Budget Justification below) |
$219,398 | $225,622 |
| NRSP-2 | National Planning and Coordination | n/a | n/a |
| NRSP-3 B. Brown |
The National Atmospheric Deposition Program – Long Term Monitoring Program in Support of Research of Effects of Atmospheric Chemical Deposition | $113,011 | $116,401 |
| NRSP-4 N. Thompson |
A National Agricultural Program to Clear Pest Control Agents for Minor Uses | $500,668 | $514,620 |
| NRSP-5 D.C. Coston |
Develop and Distribute Deciduous Fruit Tree Clones Free of Virus and Virus-like Agents | $248,332 | $244,000 |
| NRSP-6 E. Young |
Introduction, Preservation, Classification, Distribution and Evaluation of Solanum Species (see Budget Justification below) |
$161,931 | $178,250 |
| NRSP-7 J. Neilson |
A National Agriculture Program to Approve Animal Drugs for Minor Species and Uses | n/a | n/a |
| NRSP-8 J. Cherry |
National Animal Genome Research Program | $380,000 | $389,272 |
*Caveat used in 1998: Using FY 1998 funding as a base for comparison, the Association approves FY 1999 funding at the level requested or a percentage change the same as the change in Hatch funding, whichever is smaller.
NRSP-1: Budget Justification (E. Young)
- System Enhancements
- Continue development of the UNIX/Star system to place the CRIS files Web.
- Continue to implement recommendations issued by the CRIS National Task Force.
- Continue to research ways in which the financial information, within CRIS, can be made accessible to the user base, utilizing the SUN/Star system.
- Upgrade the CRIS UNIX /Star printing capabilities.
- Data Collection
- Continue the development and refinement of the World Wide Web data entry facilities.
- Provide CRIS WEB program updates and maintenance, documentation, and support.
- Maintain the data exchange site for CRIS and stations on the INTERNET.
- Maintain the CRIS WEB Forms home page on the INTERNET.
- Instruction Manuals
- Update the “Manual for Preparing CRIS Forms for State and Non- Federal Institutions”.
- Incorporate all CRIS Forms Instructions into one manual.
- Develop user guides for searching the CRIS files and sub-files on the Sun/Star system.
- CD-Rom Applications
- Evaluate CD-ROM technology for utilization in various aspects of CRIS; distributing Inventory of Agricultural Research and retrieval, report writing and searching.
- Expand Scope of the Cris Technical Data
- Explore ways to expand technical data CRIS by adding non-land grant and foreign agricultural research databases as sub-files.
- CRIS/CSREES Sub-files
- Enlist support of CSREES scientific staff and other experts in preparing additional sub- files on high interest topics.
- CRISTEL Workshops
- Plan and develop a new series of workshops aimed at training users in the access and search features of CRISTEL. Finalize the CRISTEL Users Guide.
- Provide Ongoing Program Support
- Retrieval workshops, briefings and presentations
- On-Demand technical and financial retrievals
- Annual Programs of Research – Formula Funds and State Projects
- Update and maintain CRIS technical files for NTIS, HNRIMS, and others
- Human Nutrition Coding for the HNRIMS File
- CSREES Research Program Certification
- Technical Report Preparation (CRIS Research Highlights)
- CSREES Budget Report Generation
NRSP-6: Budget Justification (E. Young)
In-Meeting Information: A proposal to change the way and time in which determinations are made regarding off-the-top funding will be discussed at the ESCOP Executive Committee meeting immediately following the agInnovation South spring meeting.
ACTION REQUESTED
Approval.
ACTION TAKEN
| Decisions on NRSP funding were tabled until the Association’s summer meeting. |
Agenda Item 14
Public Opinion Survey: S-276 Funding Request
BACKGROUND
The research team of the S-276 Regional Project “Rural Restructuring: Causes and Consequences of Globalizing Agriculture and Natural Resource Systems,” which includes many social scientists from Southern region agricultural experiment stations, is finalizing a national public opinion survey to ascertain how Americans view agriculture, the environment, and social well-being in the context of ongoing globalization processes. A mail survey will be administered to a randomly selected national sample of
10,000 citizen respondents to elicit attitudes, preferences, and behaviors related to various aspects of our agri-food and natural resource systems. This survey will extend findings of two previous surveys completed in predecessor regional projects, providing a unique longitudinal data set of public opinion about the U.S. agri-food and natural resource systems. The research team is confident that the survey will provide information about public perceptions and behaviors that will be quite useful for policy analysis.
ACTION REQUESTED
Our budget projections indicate that approximately $95,000 will be needed to fund the survey. We expect extramural funding in the range of $25,000 from the Farm Foundation and its board members. The remaining $70,000 will need to be provided internally from experiment station funds. We request a per station contribution of approximately $8,000 from Southern agricultural experiment stations whose researchers are principal investigators in the S-276 project.
ACTION TAKEN
Dr. Scott Smith was asked to convey to Dr. Burmeister that the requested funds should be solicited directly from those stations participating in the project.
Agenda Item 15
Southern Region’s Research Advisory Board
BACKGROUND
During the February 1 meeting of the agInnovation South Planning Committee, amendments to the proposed “Southern Region Research Advisory Board” were made. Additional discussion is required to bring this matter to closure.
In-Meeting Information: Draft copies of the proposal were distributed. However, the consensus was to delay further work until after the AREERA Plan of Work implementation guidelines were finalized.
ACTION REQUESTED
Discussion.
ACTION TAKEN
| A motion and second by Drs. Coston/Emino proposed that agInnovation South have access to (or meet with) CARET prior to the Association’s next meeting to carry forward such issues as the “Southern Region’s Research Advisory Board”. The original motion was tabled on an approved motion/second by Drs. Jubb/Rogers. |
Agenda Item 16
Proposals for New and Continuing Activities
Presenters: Jerry Cherry
BACKGROUND
Requests were presented for establishing or modifying the activities below as indicated.
| Requested Action |
Prev. Activity/ Term. Date/ Advisor/Sponsor |
Title | General Comments and Recommendations of Advisory Groups and Executive Committee. |
| Multi-State Research Funded (MRF) Projects: | |||
| Establish DC | S-183 2000 Teem |
Phenology, Population Dynamics and Interference: A Basis for Understanding Weed Biology and Eology | AC-1 approves. AC-5 approves. |
| Establish DC | S-264 2000 Fischer |
Microirrigation of Horticultural Crops in Humid Climates | AC-1 approves. Applaud the inclusion of turfgrass. This is needed not only in sod production, but also for use on home lawns, golf course fairways, athletic fields, etc. AC-5 approves. |
| Establish DC | S-268 2000 Teem |
Evaluation and Development of Plant Pathogens for Biological Control of Weeds | AC-5 approves. AC-11 approves: This group has had some successes in commercializing one agent, (Collego, 1997) and is approaching commercialization of one or two more agents. The objectives 2 and 4 would be stronger had they addressed questions more closely related to the epidemiology of the diseases and the mechanisms by which these pathogens controlled weeds. Weed scientists and plant bacteriologists should be involved in this activity. |
| Establish DC | S-269 2000 Emino |
Biological Control and Management of Soilborne Plant Pathogens for Sustainable Crop Production | AC-1 approves: AC-1 suggests that consideration be given to expanding Objective 3 to include “development and implementation.” There is the possibility that alternative crops and sequences that have not been investigated may have merit.AC-5 approves. AC-11 approves: Progress on biological control of soilborne disease is slow, but the work involved continues to contribute to understanding fundamental relationships of soil ecology, disease and the integration of biological control agents into disease control systems. |
| Establish DC | (new) n/a Shaw (NC) |
Genetic and Dietary Factors Contributing to Obesity | AC-3 approves. AC-5 approves. |
| Information Exchange Groups: | |||
| Terminate | IEG-44 1999 Brown (VA) |
Southern Forest Tree Physiology | [The last activity of the group was held in 1995. Members suggested to AA that mission of IEG-44 had been brought to a close.] |
| Terminate | IEG-56 1999 Emino (FL) |
Plant Viruses Transmitted by White Flies and Thrips | [The subject matter is incorporated into agendas of pathological and entomological meetings and symposia. Thus the need for an IEG no longer exists.] |
| Renew | SERA-IEG-1 1999 Jones (FL) |
Southern Region Pesticide Impact Assessment Program | AC-1 approves. AC-5 approves. AC-11 approves: This group, consisting of both agricultural research and extension scientists, is active and functions well in addressing the important issues related to impacts of the Food Quality Protection Act on pesticides and their use in pest management practices. AC-12 approves. |
| Renew | SERA-IEG-3 1999 Teem (AL) |
Integrated Pest Management | AC-1 approves. Hope group will evolve towards Integrated Resource Management. This would include not only pesticide aspects but how good management can interact to enhance effectiveness of IPM and reduce total need for resource inputs. AC-5approves. AC-11 approves: Continue as established. This group is starting to influence grower and researcher attitudes and develop programs with potentially valuable results. AC-12 approves. |
| Renew | SERA-IEG-4 1999 (tba) |
Production and Postharvest Technology of Vegetables and Fruits | AC-1 approves. AC-5 approves. AC-6 approves: The Horticulture Heads endorsed and approved this SERA-IEG. They did have some questions about the production aspect of the subject matter. Does the group have sufficient membership to adequately address the production issues related to post-harvest quality? If not, should the title be changed to more acurately reflect the information covered by this IEG? AC-7 approves: Group should develop output objectives to assure productive meetings and sustainability. We need more emphasis on the economics of fruit and vegetable production and post-harvest technology. Make sure economists are invited and involved. |
| Renew | SERA-IEG-10 1999 Shaw (NC) |
Housing in the Rural South | AC-3 approves. AC-5 approves. |
| Renew | SERA-IEG-20 1999 Weidemann (AR) |
Southern Conservation Tillage Conference for Sustainable Agriculture | AC-1 approves. AC-5 approves: AC-5 suggests a link to S-283 since it was for many years the conservation tillage research project. AC-7 approves. |
| Renew | SERA-IEG-23 1999 Harper (NC) |
Cotton Insects | AC-5 approves. AC-12 approves. |
| Extend for one year | SERA-TF-11 1999 Coston (OK) |
Utilization of University-Based Food Processing Centers | [This group has been working well together and has developed a connected internet system for exchanging information concerning capabilities in each of the centers. They are now utilizing this system to connect clients who come into one of the centers with the capabilities (expertise, facilities, etc.) wherever it exists. There are several additional items for defining cooperation and collaboration they would like to complete. The Task Force is asking for a one-year extension of their authorization until September 30, 2000, rather than asking for authorization of another type of activity.] |
| Establish new SERA-IEG | (new) n/a Fischer (SC) |
Southeastern Small Fruit Center (Univ. of Georgia, Clemson Univ., and North Carolina State Univ. | AC-1 approves. AC-5 approves. AC-7 approves. AC-11 approves: The initial activity of this group is to establish the Small Fruit Center web site to link and share small fruit research and extension resources within the three states mentioned as well as others. Personnel who are interested in this activity will probably need to initiate contacts with web masters to establish links.AC-12 approves. |
| Establish new SERA-IEG | IEG-10 1999 L. Johnson (AL) |
Southern Natural Resource Economics Committee | AC-5 approves. AC-7 approves: Strive to be more timely with publication. Good effort to involve extension. Strong support for this project |
| Establish new SERA-IEG | (new) n/a Jubb (VA) |
Southern Pine Beetle Working Group | AC-5 approves. AC-12 approves. |
| Establish new SERA-IEG |
IEG-70 1999 M. Salassi (LA) |
Economics and Management of Risk in Agriculture and Natural Resources | AC-7 approves. |
NOTE: No modification requests were received on the following activities which would normally have been considered at this point in time.
SERA-IEG-2: Food Safety (Janet Johnson, AA)
SERA-IEG-21: Use of Forage-Animal Models in Resource Management (Oran Little, AA)
S-262: Diversity and Interactions of Beneficial Bacteria and Fungi in the Rhizosphere (Bob Cannell, AA)
S-263: Enhancing Food Safety Through Control of Foodborne Disease Agents (Janet Johnson, AA)
S-265: Development and Integration of Entomopathogens into Pest Management Systems (Larry Crowder, AA)
S-266: Parameter Sensing and Control Systems for Drying Agricultural Commodities (Jim Fischer, AA)
S-267: Biological Control of Selected Arthropod Pests and Weeds (Frank Gilstrap, AA)
ACTION REQUESTED
Approval of activities as requested.
ACTION TAKEN
|
Agenda Item 17
Agricultural Biotechnology:
Presenter: Glenn Collins (Introduced by Scott Smith)
BACKGROUND
Dr. Glenn Collins, Professor of Agronomy at the University of Kentucky, will give a presentation that will include:
- a brief assessment of the underlying science of biotechnology and its status relative to bringing together conventional genetics, breeding and other disciplines with cellular and molecular biology and other emerging biotechnologies (integration);
- the current status of the commercialization of products and processes derived from biotechnology (commercialization);
- issues associated with biotechnology including such things as risks and consumer acceptance and some things that need to be considered (regulation)
- the case that the technology has surged ahead of us in terms of application and that we are behind on many fronts on education in biotechnology (education); and
- a look to the future and where biotechnology is going (anticipation).
In-Meeting Information: Dr. Collins gave a slide presentation related to the above information and also distributed information about the “Soy 2000” Conference of the Cellular and Molecular Biology of the Soybean. The conference web site is http://www.ca.uky.edu/soy2000/. In addition, Dr. Collins distributed a comprehensive list of web sites on biotechnology issues including patents, ethics in biotechnology, and biotechnology and biosafety guidelines.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 18
Southern Region IPM Program
BACKGROUND
The 1999 grants program has been underway following a timetable similar to the 1998 program. The elements of the 1999 Request for Proposals were discussed and recommended by SERA-IEG-13 March 12, 1998. Their recommendations were discussed, modified, and approved at the agInnovation South meeting in Oklahoma City on April 22, 1998.
The SERA-IEG-3 RFP writing team submitted the draft RFP on July 10, 1998 The final RFP was approved by the Regional IPM Policy Committee and submitted to USDA-CSREES for approval on August 8, 1998. USDA approved the RFP on Sept. 22, 1998.
The 1999 RFP was released to the public on Monday, Sept. 28 by sending it electronically to all experiment station and extension directors in the Southern Region. Also, the RFP was posted on the web site for the Va. Agric. Expt. Sta.; the URL was publicized.
The deadline for preproposals was November 9, 1998. A total of 39 preproposals were received including 38 in the research category, one in the extension category, and five letters of intent for the combined research/extension category.
On December 9, 1998, the preproposal review team (Frank Gilstrap, Steve Lommel, David Teem, Jack Bagent, and Skip Jubb) selected 29 preproposals in the research category plus the one extension preproposal to be invited to full proposals. Full proposal application packets were sent by overnight mail to the successful preproposal writers on December 11, 1998. All others were notified by regular mail on the same date.
The deadline for full proposals was February 15, 1999. A total of 29 full proposals was received in the research category, one in the extension category and four in the combined category. A balance of approximately $26,300 would remain in the extension category if the one full proposal were funded. Jack Bagent polled the Southern Extension Directors about moving this amount to the combined research/extension category, and they approved that transfer (as per e-mail memo from Jack Bagent to Skip Jubb on Jan. 5, 1999).
Proposals were mailed to the review panel on February 19, 1999. Review panel members are:
- M.P. McMullen, North Dakota State University
- L.G. Higley, University of Nebraska
- E.B. Radcliffe, University of Minnesota
- B.J. Jacobsen, Montana State University
- W.G. Johnson, University of Missouri
- R.A. Higgins, Kansas State University
- D.D. Calvin, Pennsylvania State University
- E.E. Regnier, Ohio State University
- D.J. Doohan, Ohio State University
The review panel will meet in Lexington, KY on April 20, 1999 to make final recommendations on proposals.
In-Meeting Information: In addition to Dr. Jubb’s report, a report from SERA-IEG-3, “Integrated Pest Management,” was given by its Administrative Advisor, Dr. David Teem. SERA-IEG-3 offered the following suggestions:
- Use the same RFP again for another year.
- Return to submission of proposals in June with funding in January.
- Request a full time grants manager with funding by assessment.
Each state should review their representation to SERA-IEG-3.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
ACTION TAKEN
| On motion/second by Drs. Jubb/Kriz, agInnovation South approves the following: The 2000 RFP for the Southern Region IPM Grants Program will remain the same in the separate Research and Extension categories, including the extra points for weed science proposals. The combined Research/Extension category will be dropped from the 2000 RFP to assure continuing funding of the three-year combined proposals. |
Agenda Item 19
Regional Image Enhancement
BACKGROUND
Dr. Rogers, AES Administrative Advisor to SERA-IEG-28, Image Enhancement, will report on the most recent “Southern Successes” and provide an update on this regional effort.
In-Meeting Information: Dr. Rogers reported that 17 regional impact statements were developed by the regional group. No hard copies will be printed this year, but the statements will soon be available on the “Southern Successes” web site at http://www.agctr.lsu.edu/wwwac/SouthSuccess/. Dr. Rogers also noted that the writing team will again this year be asking Administrative Advisors of regional activities to share success stories. Chair, Jerry Cherry, urged members to submit impact statements to this SERA team.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 20
Impact of Regional Research Investment on the Southern Rice Industry
agInnovation South Task Force
BACKGROUND
Task Force Members: Warren Couvillion (MS), Gail Cramer (AR), Ed Rister (TX), Michael Salassi (LA) – Chairman, Frank Gilstrap (TX) – Administrative Advisor
Research being conducted by this task force is based on the need by research and policy decision makers to understand the effectiveness of public rice research investments in the four southern rice-producing states. These states (Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas) account for 73 percent of United States rice production and exports. The United States is currently the 3rd largest exporter of rice after Thailand and Vietnam. The task force has its initial meeting on September 9, 1998 in Memphis, TN. Discussion at this meeting included background information, previous research, possible data sources, as well as the objectives and methodology of the project. Objectives for the project were defined as follows: (1) determine a potential value for using the CRIS data base in establishing costs-benefits for regional investments in research, and identify data needs and (2) evaluate available techniques for assessing cost-benefit analysis of research investments in southern region using recent and/or anticipated technology innovations for rice.
The task force met on November 16, 1998, at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Dallas, TX, for the primary purpose of discussing alternative methodologies of evaluating investment in research and to decide on which possible methodologies would be used in the proposed analysis. Invited speakers at this meeting included Dr. Bobby Eddleman, Resident Director, Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Corpus Christi, TX, and Dr. Philip Pardey, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C.
Initial results were presented at a task force meeting on February 1, 1999 in Memphis, TN. The methodology used to calculate benefits to determine the rate of return to expenditure on rice research is an econometric commodity model using economic surplus measurements. A single equation rice supply response model is estimated and used for simulation in a global econometric rice model. Supply is estimated as a function of research investment in rice lagged six years and additional explanatory variables. Shifts in rice supply attributed to research investments are used in deriving producer and consumer benefits and losses. The internal rate of return to research is calculated from the stream of benefits, losses and research expenditure. Internal rate of return is calculated which sets net present value of benefits exactly equal to net present value of research investment expenditures. The preliminary results indicate an annual rate of return to public research investments in rice in the southern states at 73.6 percent.
In-Meeting Information: As a followup to this report, Dr. Salassi was asked to make a formal presentation on this activity at the Southern Region Land-Grant Conference in August. This activity utilized the services of the Social Science Research Center under contract to the agInnovation South and thus, this report in August will be tied to the SSRC report.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 21
Report from Ad-Hoc Committee on Cotton, Inc. Contracts
BACKGROUND
In August, 1998, an ad-hoc committee was appointed to study issues related to Cotton, Inc.’s contracts with individual Southern SAES. Chair Larry Rogers will report on actions of the committee thus far.
In-Meeting Information: Early in the Association meeting, Dr. Rogers distributed a draft “boiler plate” agreement for all SAES to use with Cotton Incorporated. This agreement would serve as a broad umbrella master agreement. Members were asked to review the agreement and provide feedback to the committee no later than May 1. Following incorporation of suggestions, a meeting will be arranged between Cotton Incorporated and the committee. After discussion, the following motion was approved:
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
ACTION TAKEN
| On motion/second by Drs. Rogers/Emino, the Association approved endorsement of the boiler plate document including the Memorandum of Agreement and Research Agreement. The Association also authorized the committee to present this document to Cotton Incorporated with a request that this document form the basis for future contracts with Cotton Incorporated. |
Agenda Item 22
Southern Region Research Committee (SRRC) Report
Presenter: Greg Weidemann
BACKGROUND
Projects approved by CSREES since SRRC report in August, 1998:
- Impacts of Trade Agreements and Economic Policies on Southern Agriculture
- Administrative Advisor: Thomas H. Klindt
- Old project number: S-256 / DC97-11
- Nutritional Systems for Swine to Increase Reproductive Efficiency
- New project number: S-287
- Administrative Advisor: Nancy M. Cox
- Old project number: S-145 / DC97-02
- New project number: S-288
Projects currently under review by SRRC:
- Development of New Processes and Technologies for the Processing of Poultry Products
- Administrative Advisor: Jerry A. Cherry
- Originating project number: none
- Development Committee number: 97-13
- Improved Systems of Control for Pecan Arthopod Pests
- Status: Reviewed by SRRC and returned to AA 3/98 for revision.
- Administrative Advisor: Frank Gilstrap
- Originating project number: S-220
- Development Committee number: 97-04
- Genetic Relationship to Growth and Reproduction in Diverse Poultry Popluations
- Status: Reviewed by SRRC and returned to AA 12/98 for revision.
- Administrative Advisor: Tom Scott
- Originating project number: S-233
- Development Committee number: 97-07
- Technical and Economical Efficiencies of Producing, Marketing, and Managing Landscape Plants
- Status: Being reviewed by SRRC.
- Administrative Advisor: Everett Emino
- Originating project number: S-103
- Development Committee number: 97-01
- Status: Being reviewed by SRRC.
In-Meeting Information:
- Dr. Weidemann noted one update to the report, that being the completion of the SRRC review of DC97-07 (S-233). The outline has been returned to the Administrative Advisor.
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 23
Report of the Resolutions Committee
BACKGROUND
Resolutions recognizing the contributions and service of retiring members and of those otherwise leaving the ranks of the Association will be presented. Copies of these resolutions will be available from the office of the Executive Director .
ACTION REQUESTED
Adoption.
ACTION TAKEN
| A motion/second by Drs. Teem/Rogers was approved conveying the following resolutions: | ||
| Retired/Retiring Members: Dr. Bob Cannell Dr. Elwyn Deal Dr. George Kriz Dr. Ike Sewell |
Members leaving the Association: Dr. Jack Britt Dr. Jim Boling Dr. Jim Marion |
Appreciation expressed: Hosts at The University of Kentucky – Dr. Scott Smith Dr. Fred Knapp Ms. Pam Compton |
Agenda Item 24
Plans for Upcoming Meetings –
1999 Southern Region Mini Land-Grant Meeting
and 2000 agInnovation South Spring Meeting
Presenters: Bill Brown and Jim Rakocy
BACKGROUND
The 1999 Southern Region Mini Land-Grant meeting will be held August 14-17 in Baton Rouge, LA. Components of the meeting include our agInnovation South meeting, a joint agInnovation South/ASRED meeting, a joint agInnovation South/ARD meeting, etc. tentatively scheduled for August 16-17. The 1999 conference is entitled “Transforming the Future Through the Land-Grant System – Relevance, Responsiveness, and Resourcefulness.” The plenary session is scheduled to begin at noon Sunday, August 15. Registration forms will be mailed in early May. Details are available on the conference website: http://www.agctr.lsu.edu/wwwac/99landgrant/index.htm.
The 2000 spring meeting of agInnovation South will be hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands and is scheduled for May 7-10, 2000 at the Westin Resort in St. John, VI. A reception on Sunday evening, May 7 will begin the official activities and the business meeting will begin Monday, May 8 and end Wednesday, May 10. The resort is offering the group rate, based on availability, for two days prior and two days following the meeting.
In-Meeting Information:
Dr. Brown distributed copies of the “Southern Region Land-Grant Conference” webpage and noted use of the new name of the meeting.Dr. Rakocy described plans for activities in the Virgin Islands during the spring 2000 meeting. He urged members to make arrangements well in advance of the meeting, perhaps as early as January, 2000 to ensure good travel connections. Dr. Rakocy also indicated that dress code for all aspects of the meeting would be very casual — flowered shirts would be mandatory!
ACTION REQUESTED
For information.
Agenda Item 25
Concluding Remarks, Announcements, and Adjournment
Presenter: Jerry Cherry
BACKGROUND
Any additional or unresolved business, announcements, and concluding remarks will be presented prior to adjournment.
Dates of upcoming meetings:
- August 14-17, 1999: Southern Region Mini-Land Grant Meeting – Baton Rouge, LA
- September 28-30, 1999: SAES Directors’ Workshop/Experiment Station Section Meeting – Memphis, TN
- Jan-Feb (tba), 2000: Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (SAAS) – Lexington, KY
- May 7-11, 2000: Spring meeting of agInnovation South – St. John, Virgin Islands
ACTION REQUESTED
For information only.
ACTION TAKEN
There being no additional business, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 am.
[END]