April 2-5, 2006 Meeting Minutes

SAAESD Spring Meeting
Tunica, MS
April 2-5, 2006
Participants  |  Action Items  |  Agenda

Participants

SAAESD: Jerry Arkin, GA Susan Barefoot, SC David Boethel, LA Jerry Cherry, GA Lisa Collins, KY Nancy Cox, KY Roger Crickenberger, NC Mary Duryea, FL Richard Guthrie, AL Winston Hagler, NC Mark Hussey, TX Skipp Jubb, VA Tom Klindt, TN Steve Leath, NC Mark McLellan, FL Reuben Moore, MS David Morrison, LA

Roland Mote, TN Donna Pearce, SAAESD James Rakocy, VI Rick Roeder, AR Bob Shulstad, GA Clarence Watson, MS Vance Watson, MS Greg Weidemann, AR Bob Westerman, OK Eric Young, SAAESD Liaisons: Darrell Cole, ARS Ed King, ARS Dan Kugler, CSREES Other guests: Paul Coreil, ASRED Norman Pruitt, CSREES Joe Street, MS

Action Items

Agenda Item 1 – Approval of Agenda, Minutes, and Interim Actions: Fall meeting minutes approved (Weidemann/Roeder), and Interim Actions approved (Morrison/Klindt).
Agenda Item 13 – S-009 Report and Budget Request: On motion/second Drs. Arkin/Jubb the S-009 budget was approved.
Agenda Item 22 – Multistate Research Committee Report: On motion/second by Drs.Young/Moore a new SERA will be developed called “Beef Cattle Production” in which Dr. David Morrison will serve as the AA.
Agenda Item 26 – SAAESD Leadership Award Presentation: Drs. D.C. Coston and Gale Buchanan were presented the SAAESD Leadership Award
Agenda Item 30 – National Strategic Research & Extension Plan for Specialty Crops: The SAAESD Directors accepted by acclamation to develop a national strategic plan for specialty crops
Agenda Item 35 – Resolutions Committee Report: A resolution of appreciation was read for Dr. William F. Brown who has left the Association. A resolution of appreciation was also read for Dr. Vance Watson and staff of the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experiment Station at Mississippi State University for their roles in hosting the SAAESD Spring Meeting. A round of applause approved the resolutions.

AGENDA
Monday, April 3
6:30 – 8:00		Breakfast
Time	Agenda #	Agenda Item – Presenter
8:15	1	Call to Order, Welcome, and Approval of Agenda, Minutes and Interim Actions– David Boethel
8:20	2	ARS Report – Ed King and Darrell Cole, ARS>
8:40	3	CSREES Report – Dan Kugler, CSREES
9:00	4	POW Guidelines – Dan Kugler, CSREES
10:00 – 10:30		Break
		ESCOP Core Committee Reports:
10:30	5	Budget and Legislative – Greg Weidemann and Tom Klindt
10:40	6	Communication and Marketing – Jerry Arkin, Mary Duryea, and Ron Lacewell
10:50	7	Science and Technology – Nancy Cox and David Boethel
11:00	8	ESCOP/CSREES Task Force on President’s 07 Budget – Greg Weidemann and Eric Young
11:15	9	BAA Policy Board of Directors – Nancy Cox
11:20	10	CREATE 21 – Nancy Cox and Eric Young
12:00 – 1:00		Lunch
1:00	11	ASRED Report – Paul Coreil, LSU Extension Director
1:20	12	National Plant Germplasm Coordinating Committee – Jerry Arkin
1:30	13	S-009 Report and Budget Request – Jerry Arkin
1:40	14	NRSP Review Committee Report – Craig Nessler and Eric Young
		NRSP Reports and Budget Requests:
1:50	15	NRSP-1 – Roger Crickenberger
2:00	16	NRSP-3 – Steve Leath
2:10	17	NRSP-4 – Mary Duryea
2:20	18	NRSP-5 – Rueben Moore
2:30	19	NRSP-6 – Bob Westerman
2:40	20	NRSP-7 – Garry Adams
2:50	21	NRSP-8 – Jerry Cherry
3:00 – 3:30		Break
3:30	22	Multistate Research Committee Report – David Morrison
3:45	23	NIMSS Update – Eric Young and Donna Pearce
3:50	24	Executive Director’s Report – Eric Young
4:10	25	SAAESD Strategic Plan Review – Susan Barefoot
4:50	26	SAAESD Leadership Award Presentation – David Boethel
5:00		Adjourn
6:00 – 9:00		Dinner

 

Tuesday, April 4
6:30 – 8:00		Breakfast
Time	Agenda #	Agenda Item – Presenter
8:00am – 9:00pm		Tour Research Facilities at Stoneville and Clarksville, including Lunch and Dinner

Wednesday, April 5
6:30 – 8:00				Breakfast
7:00 – 8:30				SAAESD Chief Operating Officers’ Breakfast Meeting
Time	Agenda #			Agenda Item – Presenter
8:30	27			Report from Chief Operating Officers Meeting – David Boethel
8:40	28			Southern Region IPM Center – David Boethel
8:50	29			Sun Grant in the Southern Region – Tom Klindt and Bob Westerman
9:00	30			National Strategic Research & Extension Plan for Specialty Crops – Eric Young
9:15	31			USDA Civil Rights Review Guidelines – Norman Pruitt, CSREES
10:00 – 10:30			Break
10:30		32	Specialty Crops Regulatory Initiative
10:50		33	National Cooperative Soil Survey – Richard Guthrie
11:00		34	2007 Joint SAAESD/ASRED Spring Meeting Schedule – Lisa Collins
			Additional Agenda Items
11:40		35	Resolutions Committee Report – Rick Roeder and Mary Duryea
11:50		36	Announcements, Future Meeting Plans, etc. – David Boethel
12:00				Adjourn

AGENDA BRIEFS

Agenda Item 1.
Approval of Agenda, Minutes, and Interim Actions

Presenter: David Boethel
Background:

• Agenda
• Minutes from the October 3, 2005 conference call

• Interim Actions:

• Appointed Reuben Moore, (MS) as Administrative Advisor to S294 “Postharvest Quality and Safety in Fresh-cut Vegetables and Fruits”
• Appointed Roger Crickenberger, (NC) as Administrative Advisor to S300 “Mosquito and Agricultural Pest Management in Riceland Ecosystems”
• Appointed Roger Crickenberger, (NC) as Administrative Advisor to NRSP-1 “Research Planning Using the Current Research Information System” for the Southern Region.
• Appointed Richard Guthrie, (AL) as Administrative Advisor to SERA-7 “Biology and Management of Peanut Insects and Other Arthropods”
• Appointed Steve Leath, (NC) as Administrative Advisor to NRSP-3 “The National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP)” for the Southern Region.
• Appointed Craig Nessler, (VA) as the Southern Region Representative to the NRSP Review Committee.
• Appointed Mark Hussey, (TX) as southern representative to the Joint Cotton Breeding Committee
• Appointed Nancy Cox, (KY) as southern representative to the SRDC Technical & Operational Advisory Committee
• Appointed Rick Roeder (AR) as Chair of the SAAESD Resolutions Committee.
• Appointed Mary Duryea (FL) to the SAAESD Resolutions Committee.
• Appointed Susan Barefoot, (SC) as Chair of the SAAESD Excellence in Leadership Award Committee.
• Appointed Greg Weidemann, (AR) to serve a one-year term on the SAAESD Excellence in Leadership Award Committee.
• Appointed Steve Leath, (NC) as southern representative to the Joint Cotton Breeding Advisory Committee until 2009.
• Appointed Steve Leath, (NC) as southern representative to the Tecoman Cotton Winter Nursery Steering Committee until 2009.
• Appointed Patricia Dyk, (KY) as southern representative to the ESCOP Social Science Subcommittee.
• Appointed Nancy Cox, (KY) as southern representative to the ESCOP Science and Technology Committee.
• Appointed David Morrison, (LA) as Chair of the Multistate Research Committee.
• Appointed Craig Nessler, (VT) to serve on the Multistate Research Committee.
• Appointed Nancy Cox, (KY) as southern representative to the ESCOP ad hoc Task Force Committee
• Appointed Greg Weidemann, (AR) as southern represntative to the ESCOP ad hoc Task Force Committee.
• Appointed Eric Young, (SAAESD) as the southern ED reprsentative to the ESCOP ad hoc Task Force Committee.

Action Requested: Approval of agenda, minutes, and interim actions.
Action Taken: Fall meeting minutes approved (Weidemann/Roeder), and Interim Actions approved (Morrison/Klindt).
 

Agenda Item 2.
ARS Report

Presenter: Ed King and Darrell Cole, ARS
Background:
ARS Report for ARS PowerPoint
In meeting comments:

• $34 million reductions are spread out over the nation
• Partnerships with experiment station are very important

 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 3.
CSREES Report

Presenter: Dan Kugler, CSREES
Background:
 
In meeting comments:

• Budget is flat
• NAUFRP (National Association of Forestry Research Programs) is looking for an increase of 2.5 million
• eXtension is in the process of creating a great web site

 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 4.
POW Guidelines

Presenter: Dan Kugler, CSREES
Background:
A Plan of Work PowerPoint summarizing the new Plan of Work will be given followed by questions and discussion.
In meeting comments:

• ARS has 21 program areas
• A detailed One Solution and Plan of Work presentation will be presented at the CSREES Administrative Officers Meeting in Rapid City, SD
• Three AREERA State Plans of Work newsletters have been sent out
• CSREES person of contact concerning the Plan of Work is Bart Hewitt @ 202-720-5623

 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 5.
Budget and Legislative

Presenter: Greg Weidemann and Tom Klindt
Background:
Due to the cancellation of the Fall Director’s meeting, the B& L Committee was unable to obtain input from the directors on the FY 08 subject matter priorities for federal funding. Therefore an electronic survey was developed and sent out to all directors. Based on the survey results, minor changes were made in the rankings from the previous year. The committee designated members to review the survey materials for each category and suggest changes or revisions based on individual comments included in the survey. This process resulted in a limited number of revisions. The committee met by conference call to consider all suggested changes from the sub-groups and approved the suggested changes. Following a further email communication to all directors giving them a final opportunity for input, the priority rankings have been forwarded to the Budget and Advocacy Committee of the BAA. The ESS priority rankings are listed below.
ESS FY 08 Priorities for CSREES/USDA Budget
(1) increase Hatch appropriations
(2) increase the National Research Initiative (NRI).
ESS FY 08 Subject Matter Priorities for Federal Funding (All agencies)

Broad Category	Rank	Issue	Rank
Environment	1	Water Quality and Quantity	1
		Invasive Species	2
		Global Climate Change	3
		Land-Use Issues
		Bio-based Products
		Risk Management/Risk Assessment
Food, Nutrition and Health	1	Food Safety	1
		Obesity/Consumer Behavior	2
		Functional Foods/Nutraceuticals	3
Genomics	2	Plant Systems	1
		Animal Systems	2
		Microbial Genomics	3
Rural Community Vitality/Economic Development	3	Land-Use Policy	1
		Biobased Products	2
		Entrepreneurship and Leadership	3
Homeland Security	4	Rapid Detection of Threat Agents	1
		Risk Assessment	2
		Energy Security	3
		Facility and Personnel Security	4
Facilities	5

Note: The first two priorities are equal in rank.
Environment: Provide a framework for understanding and addressing issues of water quality and quantity, invasive species and global climate change. Others areas of high priority include land use issues, development of bio-based products, and risk management and assessment as each of these pertain to the environment.
Food, Nutrition and Health: Develop the knowledge base on the etiology of food safety. Develop an understanding of the role of diet and consumer behavior on human health including obesity. Enhance the ability to identify foods with physiological activity and apply new, innovative technology to improve food systems.
Genomics: Develop understanding of the structure and function of genes, the products of genes (proteins), and the products of proteins (metabolites) in plants, animals, microbes, insects, and humans for value-added applications as well as management of pests and diseases.
Rural Community Vitality/Economic Development: Provide agriculturally-based systems for development of entrepreneurial activity that is sustainable, rooted in locality, environmentally sound and based on participatory, inclusive community planning.
Homeland Security: Develop the knowledge base for (1) rapid detection of threat agents and disaster preparedness and recovery efforts, (2) risk assessment, (3) long-term energy sources, especially bio-based, and (4) facility and personnel security.
Facilities: Provide for facilities as stated in section 1485 of the 2002 Farm Bill- authorizes up to $10M per year awarded to each experiment station on a competitive basis with required matching funds (77 units (SAES and ARD) at $10M each amounts to $250M per year for three years).
Action Requested: For information only.

Agenda Item 6.
Communication and Marketing

Presenter: Jerry Arkin, Mary Duryea, and Ron Lacewell
Background:
The ESCOP Communication & Marketing Committee has accomplished its initial objectives of facilitating completion of the “Formula for Success Brochure: The Case for Federal Formula Funds for Agricultural Research.” The Committee also assessed the Science on the Hill Exhibit and made recommendations to ESCOP concerning improving impact and effectiveness of the exhibit. The C&M Committee has worked to improve impact statement hot topics for distribution.
The ESCOP C&M Committee met with the ESCOP Executive Committee on February 27, 2006, and discussed the need for developing a strategic communication and marketing plan. Specific topics discussed were:

• The need for a white paper addressing University/AES/CSREES plan for greater communication and marketing.
• Enhancing AES/LGU collaboration with CSREES
• The need for an NRSP on communications
• The need for an electronic magazine (similar to Choices)

Plans are for an ESCOP Communications and Marketing meeting to be held in Washington, D.C. in May-June.
 
Action Requested: For information only
 

Agenda Item 7.
Science and Technology

Presenter: Nancy Cox and David Boethel
Background:

1. Science Roadmap for Agriculture Addendum

The S&T Committee is working with a science writer at NCSU and a publication designer at U of Hawaii to develop a one-page addendum to the Roadmap for distribution to the LGU system, USDA, and other partners. The addendum will include some highlights from the Roadmap survey done last year and the modified, prioritized challenge areas and objectives.

2. NRI Priorities

ESCOP has charged the S&T Committee with developing a process whereby experiment station directors can have routine (at least annual) input into NRI priority setting for the RFP program areas.

3. Next S&T Committee meeting will be April 24-25, 2006 in Cincinnati, OH.

 
Action Requested: For information only.

Agenda Item 8.
ESCOP/CSREES Task Force on President’s 07 Budget

Presenter: Greg Weidemann and Eric Young
Background:
At its February 27 meeting, ESCOP decided to meet with CSREES to discuss the President’s 07-budget proposal relative to distribution of Hatch. ESCOP agreed to designate a group of directors to meet with CSREES to discuss how a multistate competitive program might be implemented. This in no way changes the opposition that the directors have to implementing such a plan for FY 07, but if new funds became available, this type of program may be considered. In addition, ESCOP has asked the agency to have a more general discussion regarding the future of research funding including Hatch.
Each region has identified two directors along with the ED to serve as a task force of 15 people to discuss the future of funding for research in programs administered by CSREES (see task force membership list below). It is intended that this broader discussion will focus on any future budget proposals that might impact base formula-distributed funding (Hatch, etc). In addition, a subgroup of six members (1 from each 1862 region and 2 EDs, see subgroup list below) will interact directly with an equivalent group from CSREES (see list below) in their task of developing an implementation plan for the President’s FY 07 budget (i.e. a multistate, competitively awarded program), which they are required to do as an agency of the Executive Branch. A similar effort is underway involving the forestry deans/directors regarding the McIntire-Stennis proposal.
*ESCOP Task Force*
NERA: Bruce McPheron (PA),Richard Rhoades (RI) and Tom Fretz (ED),
NCRA: Steve Slack (OH), Tom Payne (MO) and Daryl Lund (ED),
SAAESD: Greg Weideman (AR), Nancy Cox (KY) and Eric Young (ED),
WAAESD: Colin Kaltenbach (AZ), Ron Pardini (NV) and Mike Harrington (ED), and
ARD/1890s: Carolyn Brooks (UMES-MD), Alton Thompson (NCA&T-NC) and Sam Donald (ED)
*Subgroup*
NERA: Bruce McPheron (PA)
NCRA: Steve Slack (OH)
SAAESD: Greg Weideman (AR)
WAAESD: Colin Kaltenbach (AZ)
EDs: Eric Young and Mike Harrington
*CSREES Small Group*
Larry R. Miller (Chair), Acting Associate Administrator
Frank E. Boteler, Deputy Administrator, Economic and Community Systems
Thomas A. Bewick, National Program Leader, Plant and Animal Systems
Susan Welsh, National Program Leader, Families, 4-H, and Nutrition
Mark R. Bailey, National Program Leader, Economic and Community Systems
Winston S. Sherman, Office of Extramural Programs
The small group’s first meeting is scheduled for March 26 in D.C. There are two sets of expectation for this activity.
CSREES Expectations

• The agency needs to develop an implementation plan for the Competitive Multistate Research Program as proposed in the President’s 2007 budget. While there is some discussion as to whether or not we should be involved in helping to develop the details of such a program, it is in our best interest to be at the table.
• Colien Hefferan has made it very clear that the act of working together on an implementation plan does not include negotiation about the proposal. The program is a part of the budget proposal and the agency is not in a position to make any changes.

ESCOP/ESS Expectations
Executive Committee

• The smaller committee will work with CSREES representatives on a draft implementation plan for the proposed 2007 multistate program
• In the event that a member of the smaller group is unable to participate in a meeting, substitutes will be allowed. ESCOP will insist that we always have a full complement of players at the table.
• The topic of CREATE-21 will not be discussed

Larger Task Force

• ESCOP is anxious to have meaningful discussions about how a new competitive multistate program might be structured if there were new funds to operate the program, leaving existing formula funds untouched. This can only occur if we have an open dialog with the larger committee and with the leadership in CSREES.
• There should be discussion of funding issues in general and the agency’s recommendations for FY 2008 specifically. . We should use this opportunity to seek more input on plans for the FY08 budget and any plans for realignment of Formula funds, given that there is a high level of expectation that the implementation plan being designed for FY 07 will not be implemented.
• There needs to be timely communication, active exchange of information, exchange of ideas as well as open discussion about any budget proposals that impact the AES system prior to submitting them for inclusion in the department’s portion of the President’s budget.
• We should use this opportunity to increase communication between the partners (SAES directors and CSREES) about the future of support (both formula distributed and competitive). Use this opportunity to revitalize the partnership.

In meeting comments:

• Don’t reinvent the wheel / use existing system
• System is not in favor of President’s Budget proposal for Hatch
• Suspend the discussions with CSREES
• Small schools are at more of a risk
• Most experiment stations pay salaries with Hatch money
• Implementation of proposal would force moving salaries over to state money
• Base funds add flexibility
• Federal partnership is in trouble
• Is this an accountability issue?
• Should walk away for the table because of misrepresentation during hearings

 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 9.
BAA Policy Board of Directors

Presenter: Nancy Cox
Background:
A brief report will be given on items of interest from the BAA Policy Board of Directors meeting held March 21-22 in Storrs, CT.
In meeting comments:

• Recommendations on Blue Ribbon Team is to negotiate two contracts for PR and lobbying
• Science on the Hill Exhibit is useful and will continue
• Policy Board put a policy in place that the Budget and Advisory Committee would meet 1 week after President’s budget is released, feedback from sections could be obtained electronically or by conference call
• Next committee face-to-face meeting in late July at Joint COPs

 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 10.
CREATE 21

Presenter: Nancy Cox and Eric Young
Background:
A proposal emanating from the BAA Policy Board of Directors’ “Think Tank” – a subcommittee comprised of members drawn from the BAA Budget and Advocacy Committee and the BAA Farm Bill Committee and charged to study the existing USDA- university partnership and recommend changes – was unveiled at the NASULGC Annual Meeting in Washington, November 12 – 14, 2005. The genesis for the work of the “Think Tank” and its product has been the recognition on the part of the BAA that over the course of the past nine years there has been limited – and more often than not, no – growth in the funding mechanisms in place to sustain or enhance the traditional partnership between the NASULGC land-grant institutions and entities of the USDA. By comparison, in the same time period, the funding of other federal agencies with similar research and education agendas has seen substantial growth and vitality.
Proposed by the “Think Tank” is a new model of a partnership between our institutions and our traditional USDA partners. It is one designed to address many of the convictions and values that are fundamental to research, education and extension programs within the BAA as well as those found in the earlier proposal by the Research, Education, and Economics Task Force (Danforth) Report. It is a call for a unified approach to basic and applied research (extramural and intramural) education, and extension that is problem oriented (as opposed to project-oriented), a model of disciplinary and functional integration and collaboration, and responsive and accountable to local, state, regional, and national needs in an increasingly competitive global economy. Proposed in the form of an institute reporting to the Secretary of Agriculture, headed by a six-year term “chief scientist” (appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate), guided by panel of eminent scientists and stakeholders, and funded through appropriations called for by authorizations among many of the titles in legislation, this entity would be well positioned to augment current funding from traditional resources as well as that which will likely become available as the result of diminishing commodity payments required by trade agreements. Additional details of the current proposal can be see in the attached CREATE21 PowerPoint and on the CREATE 21 web site at www.create-21.org.
On the basis of discussions at the NASULGC Annual Meeting and the support of all of the BAA Sections (e.g. ACOP, AHS, etc.), the BAA-PBD has unanimously authorized a continuing process through which the conceptual model proposed with its framed dimensions of operating principles will undergo further development through the delineation of details and preparation of appropriate authorizing language. In order to facilitate this process the original “Think Tank” subcommittee membership has been expanded to include full representation of all pertinent parties. The expanded committee is now known as CREATE – 21 and a list of its membership is displayed below. In addition, the Policy Board of Directors has also unanimously approved a 13-month contractual arrangement with Cornerstone Government Affairs (part of the BRT) to work on the new legislative language and in collaboration with our community mount advocacy efforts on this process.
Members of CREATE – 21 are shown below.

Name	Affiliation
Jeffrey D. Armstrong (Co-Chair)	AHS
Carolyn B. Brooks	1890 Research
Nancy H. Bull	CES
Fred A. Cholick (Co-Chair)	AHS
Daniel M. Dooley	CARET
R. Rodney Foil	Ad Hoc
H. Michael Harrington	ESS
Meg Goetz	1994s
Daryl B. Lund	ESS
Lorenza W. Lyons (Co-Chair)	1890 CES
Michael D. Mullen	APS
Jack M. Payne	CES
C.P. Patrick Reid	Forestry/BNR
Dennis A. Savaiano	Human Sciences
Milo J. Shult	AHS
Steven Slack	ESS
Robert D. Steele	AHS
John U. Thomson	Veterinary Medicine
John R. Vreyens	IAS
Noland C. Williams	1890 Extension
W. Randy Woodson	AHS
Catherine E. Woteki	Private Sector
STAFF:
Eddie G. Gouge	NASULGC
Ian L. Maw	NASULGC
Larry LaRocco	FHGR
Fred H. Hutchison	FHGR
Fred J. Clark	Cornerstone Government Affairs
Timothy K. Sanders	Cornerstone Government Affairs
Jim Richards	Cornerstone Government Affairs

 
The current timeline for communication with the system and approval to move forward is as follows:

• Executive Committee meeting by mid April to draft system-wide communication piece.
• Full committee face-to-face meeting in late May or early June to finalize communication document.
• Distribute communication document to system by late June.
• Early July two system-wide conference calls for Q&A.
• Administrative Heads fly-in July 18, presentation and discussion.
• Joint COPS meeting July 25, joint discussion with all COPs and in their individual sessions, focused on whether or not proposal should move forward.
• Board on Agriculture Assembly delegates vote (electronic) in early Aug on whether or not to move forward with the proposal.

 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 11.
ASRED Report

Presenter: Paul Coreil, LSU Extension Director
Background:
2005-2006 ASRED Officers

• Chair – Paul Coreil [LA]
• Chair-Elect- Larry Turner [KY]
• Secretary -Bernadette Hinkle [AR]
• Past Chair – Ivory Lyles [AR]

Extension Director Position Status

• Mississippi State University – currently searching for an Executive Director of Extension and Outreach. Review of applications began April 1, 2006, and will continue until the position is filled.
• Oklahoma State University – Dr. Jim Trapp is Interim Associate Director of the OSU Extension Service.
• University of Tennessee – Dr. Charles Goan is Acting Dean of UT Extension.
• VPI – Dr. Mark McCann is Interim Director of Virginia Cooperative Extension.

eXtension

• eXtension – The second Call for Engagement (CFE) was released February 1 soliciting proposals to form additional Communities of Interest. It is expected that 8-10 proposals will be funded.
• An Internal Partners Advisory Committee meeting will be held April 5-6 in Kansas City with the intent of listening to our partners within and closely associated with Extension. Dr. Eric Young is your representative on IPAC. It is anticipated that eXtension Communities of Practice will include, not only Extension, but individuals from research, academic programs, government, and the private sector and that these CoPs can provide outreach value and visibility to all parts of the Land Grant system.
• eXtension gained a line of funding through CSREES of $1.485M (after rescission) for FY 06 and has a request in the President’s budget for FY 07 of $2.97M.
• eXtension is generating considerable interest on the part of various individuals and groups, e.g., NASULGC (Peter McPherson, President), Department of Energy, non-Land Grant presidents, etc.
• One of our challenges now is how to handle groups that wish to become Communities of Practice outside the competitive process. Several groups have their own funding and want to participate. eXtension staff members are developing a process to certify and work with these groups.

Reauthorization and Funding Issues

• Extension directors in the southern region have reviewed the current CREATE-21 proposal and expressed support for the idea of thinking about our collective futures. However, there are significant concerns with the logic of the conceptual model underlying the proposed organization, the viability of stakeholder input from one large advisory board, and the limited emphasis on base (capacity) funding.
• Southern Region Extension directors unanimously voted to support our SAAESD counterparts in opposing the proposed changes in mechanism for allocating Hatch, Animal Health and Disease, and McIntire-Stennis funding, as well as the movement of Section 406 funds into the NRI.
• Extension directors in the Southern Region are working to increase participation in competitive integrated programs of CSREES and seek to work closely with your faculties in doing this.

Future Meetings

• ASRED will hold its spring 2006 meeting next week in North Carolina. Extension retirees are invited to this meeting in even-numbered years.
• ASRED will meet jointly with the Association of Educational Administrators (AEA) and the Southern Region Program Leadership Network (PLN) August 27-31, 2006 in Puerto Rico.

 
Action Requested: For information only.

Agenda Item 12.
National Plant Germplasm Coordinating Committee

Presenter: Jerry Arkin
Background:
The Coordinating Committee has met twice by teleconference. The committee continues to fine-tune its mission, vision and goal statement and organization. Several NPGCC members participated in the USDA/ARS External Assessment of its national program for plant, microbial and insect genetic resources, genomics and genetic improvement. Presentations and discussions during the external assessment meeting held on October 31 through November 1, 2005, will prove extremely helpful as a precursor for a forthcoming Coordinating Committee meeting in Washington, D.C.
The NPGCC is charged with seeking to improve coordination of germplasm programs to enhance efficiency and strengthen programs. The NPGCC will also convene a meeting in early June in Ames, Iowa, during the meeting of the Technical Advisory Committees for the four regional plant germplasm repositories.
In meeting comments:

• Lee Sommers has agreed to Chair NPGCC Committee
• NPGCC will meet in Iowa this summer

 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 13.
S-009 Report and Budget Request

Presenter: Jerry Arkin
Background:
Crop collections of importance to the Southern Region have been supported since 1949 through a joint partnership, designated as Multi-State Research Project S-009, between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit and the Southern State Agricultural Experiment Stations. For over 55 years, the S-009 Project has served as a major component of the National Plant Germplasm System, and its activities have markedly improved crop technology in the Southern Region, the U.S., and abroad, by providing plant genetic resources and associated information.
Accomplishments for 2005:

• The collection totals 85,175 accessions of 1,447 species and 244 genera with 85.2% available for distribution and 92.0% backed up at Ft. Collins, CO.
• Currently, 49,837 accessions or 58.5% of the collection have at least one inventory sample stored at -18 C. Seed longevity is improved by storage in -18 C rather than 4 C. Most seed of the accession is stored at -18 C and a distribution sample is stored at 4 C. Since 2001, all original seed and seed of new regenerations is in -18 C storage at Griffin.
• Germination tests were conducted at Griffin on almost 8,700 accessions. Since 2002 when the first germination testing was conducted at Griffin, germination tests have been conducted on 38.7% of the total collection.
• A total of 16,919 accessions (over 8,300 in S-009 region) were distributed in 899 orders to users worldwide in 2005.
• Molecular characterization was conducted on the bamboo and sunn hemp collections. Transferred SSR markers continue to be utilized for germplasm evaluation. HPLC protocols were developed to quantify phytochemicals in different legume germplasm.
• Characterization and evaluation data were taken on 1,652 accessions including 800 chile pepper accessions characterized for 30 descriptors in the field.
• Digital images of 1,100 chile pepper, grass, and cowpea accessions were placed on GRIN. Images on GRIN have been strongly supported by the Pepper and Cowpea Crop Germplasm committees. Almost 10% of Griffin accessions have images on GRIN.
• ARS provided a temporary funding increase of $21,000 in 2005 for a deer fence to surround a new 17-acre seed regeneration site leased from the University of Georgia.
• Additional accomplishments are reported in the S-009 annual report and minutes (www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=9592).

S-009 Budget Request
Increase the S-009 FY07 personnel services budget in the amount of $12,760 for a total S-009 FY07 budget of $411,133. The requested increase reflects a 4% increase in salaries based on The University of Georgia salary projections.
Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization Funding Request for FY2007
 
Action Requested: Approval of S-009 FY07 Budget Request.
Action Taken: On motion/second Drs. Arkin/Jubb the S-009 budget was approved.
 

Agenda Item 14.
NRSP Review Committee Report

Presenter: Craig Nessler and Eric Young
Background:
None of the current NRSP projects are terminating this fall, so only annual budget requests need to be reviewed by the regional associations. Details of all projects budget requests can be seen in the PDF document “Detail on Off-the-Top Requests FY 2007“. A brief annual report and budget justification will be given by the Administrative Advisor from our region for each NRSP in the next seven agenda items.
The NRSP Review Committee will meet in late May or early June to discuss the regional associations’ review comments and make it’s recommendations, which will be reviewed by the associations in July.
 
Action Requested: For information only.

Agenda Item 15.
NRSP-1

Presenter: Roger Crickenberger
Background:
NRSP-1 CRIS NIMSS Budget for the FY07 proposed budget for NRSP-1
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 16.
NRSP-3

Presenter: Steve Leath
Background:
NRSP-3, The National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP)BA Long-Term Monitoring Program in Support of Research on the Effects of Atmospheric Chemical Deposition
BRIEF PROJECT SUMMARY
The National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) provides quality assured data and information on the exposure of managed and natural ecosystems and cultural resources to acidic compounds, nutrients, base cations, and mercury in precipitation. These data support decisions on air quality issues related to precipitation chemistry and are used by scientists, policy makers, educators, and the public. Data are freely available via the Internet, which enables on line retrieval of individual data points, seasonal and annual averages, trend plots, concentration and deposition maps, reports, manuals, and other data and information. (http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu).
2005 HIGHLIGHTS
Technical Committee. NADP 2005: Science Supporting Resource Management was the theme of the scientific symposium accompanying the 2005 NRSP-3 Technical Committee meeting on 27-30 September 2005. Held in Jackson, Wyoming, the meeting attracted 106 registered participants and included 38 plenary and 41 poster presentations. NADP Vice Chair Kristi Morris organized the presentations into six plenary sessions over two days with an evening poster session (see meeting proceedings at http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/lib/proceedings/NADPpro2005.pdf). The opening plenary session featured presentations from land managers on the use of critical loads as a tool for managing national forests and parks and informing regulatory policies. A critical load is the largest amount of chemical deposition (wet and dry) that an ecosystem can receive without being deleteriously affected. In many federal lands, NADP data are the best, and often only, source of chemical deposition measurements and are used to evaluate whether or not critical loads are exceeded. The two-day symposium followed a day of meetings by the three NADP Subcommittees, Quality Assurance Advisory Group, and Executive Committee. NADP Chair Cari Furiness convened the annual business meeting (http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/meetings/fall05/techComm2005Fall.pdf for minutes), in which she reported the principal 2004/05 Executive Committee actions: (1) selection of two electronic gages that are acceptable alternatives for replacing the mechanical Belfort gage in use since the program began, and (2) endorsement of developing an initiative to add airborne mercury measurements to the NADP. By approval of this second action, the Technical Committee effectively charged the advocates of this initiative to develop a plan according to guidance prescribed in Appendix D of the NADP Quality Management Plan (http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/lib/qaplans/NADP-QMP-Dec2003.pdf).
Extension/Education Activities. In 2005, NADP chemists continued to collaborate with the American Chemical Society (ACS) in using Aacid rain@ as a contemporary issue that can engage students in real-world learning experiences. This effort focused on measuring rain pH in 4th to 8th grade science classes. The NADP assembled AChemistry of Rain@packets that included a brochure describing rain chemistry and NADP measurements, pH-measurement strips, a plastic raingage, and other materials provided by the ACS. More than 1000 packets were distributed at 14 separate events involving elementary and middle school science teachers. These activities were a follow-on to the very successful 2004 earth day activities in which students recorded their rain pH measurements on the NADP Web site (http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/earthday/).
Internet usage. NADP data are available at no charge via the Internet, which enables on-line retrieval of individual data points, seasonal and annual averages, trend plots, concentration and deposition maps, reports, manuals, and other data and information (http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu). In 2005, Internet site usage continued to increase. The site received 89,667 unique users, up nearly 19 percent from 2004. Users retrieved 18,564 data files, an increase of more than 35 percent. The number of MDN data files retrieved from the site more than quadrupled, reflecting the growing interest in mercury deposition. About 39 percent of NADP Web site usage is for educational purposes, and the balance is for research.
Informing Policy. In its 2005 report to Congress, the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) cited the NADP as a Aprimary air quality and atmospheric deposition monitoring program providing scientists and policymakers with robust data on the fate, transport, and deposition of air pollutants and on trends in acidic deposition and air quality in the United States. In this integrated assessment, NTN concentration and deposition data were used to describe the current state of atmospheric deposition in the U.S. Trends in NADP sulfate and nitrate data were especially effective in demonstrating the impacts of recent sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions reductions and evaluating the efficacy of acid deposition controls (Title IV) under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (1990-CAAA). The emission-to-deposition relationship, based on NADP data, was used to project deposition estimates for the emission levels expected in 2010. The report emphasized the growing importance of nitrogen deposition, especially in eastern U.S. estuaries and high-elevation Rocky Mountain ecosystems.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service included the NADP NTN in its plan for providing the agricultural community with information supporting the management of Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) during the 2005 growing season (see http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/ep/soybean_rust/coordfram041405.pdf). In November 2004, the USDA issued the first ever report of Asian soybean rust, or SBR, in the continental United States. SBR is spread by airborne spores that can be carried 100s of kilometers before being deposited in precipitation. Filters from NTN rain samples were examined by scientists using very sensitive techniques for identifying DNA sequences specific to SBR. As few as 10 spores could be detected on a filter. NTN sites for the study were selected to cover the major soybean-growing areas of the country. Results of the study can be used by scientists and members of the agriculture community to track spore movement and verify models designed to estimate spore transport and deposition.
Publications. An on-line database that lists citations using NADP data is accessible athttp://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/lib/bibsearch.asp.
PLANS FOR 2006/07
Serving science and education. The NRSP-3 seeks to continue to support the needs of researchers and educators by providing up-to-date quality-assured data and information on nutrients, acidic compounds, base cations, and mercury in precipitation. New on-line data presentations are under development, including isopleth map animations that track annual concentration and deposition changes of cations and anions not now included in the current map animation series.
Supporting informed decisions on air quality issues. Scientists and policy-makers have a keen interest in the atmospheric deposition of nutrients and the role of nutrient deposition in affecting unmanaged forests, shrublands, and grasslands and in affecting surface water quality, especially in the estuarine waters of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. The NADP Central Analytical Laboratory is continuing to measure total nitrogen and total phosphorus in selected precipitation samples to explore the importance of these nutrients in precipitation samples.
Responding to emerging issues. Once again during the 2006 growing season, plans are underway for the NADP Program Office to collaborate with scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cereal Disease Laboratory (CDL) to look for soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) spores in NTN samples. Filters containing insoluble matter from NTN samples collected at selected eastern U.S. sites from May to November 2006 will be sent to the CDL, where plant pathologists apply polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods to search for the spores. PCR methods are very sensitive and specific and in 2005 the search uncovered 85 samples containing evidence of SBR on the filters. Asian soybean rust was first reported in the southern U.S. in November 2004. Atmospheric transport and deposition are key to the spread of this damaging pathogen. With nearly 250 sites across the country, the NADP/NTN could be a key part of a surveillance system for the detection and spread of Asian soybean rust and other plant pathogens.
NRSP3 Budget Request Summary
 
Action Requested: For information only
 

Agenda Item 17.
NRSP-4

Presenter: Mary Duryea
Background:
For over 40 years, the IR-4 Project (NRSP-4) has been the major resource for supplying pest management tools for specialty crops by developing research data to support registration clearances. IR-4 is a national multi-state project designed to link and facilitate research efforts with land grant universities, SAES, CSREES, ARS, commodity organizations and the crop protection industry.
Specialty crops include most: vegetables, fruits, nuts, herbs, spices, floral, nursery, landscape, turf and Christmas trees. They are high value/low acreage crops and make up about 46% of U.S. agricultural production and $43 billion in sales.
Some 2005 Accomplishments include:

• Food Use Clearances: IR-4 had an outstanding year in 2005 by obtaining 991 clearances for specialty crops.
• Ornamental Research and Clearances: Over 1,200 ornamental horticulture research trials were conducted to support registrations in the greenhouse, nursery, landscape, Christmas tree and forest industries.
• Biopesticides: Four biopesticide petitions, amendments or data packages were submitted to the EPA. Additionally, IR-4 data supported 39 new biopesticide food uses for eight products.
• Pilot Efficacy Program: A pilot efficacy program worked on solutions for thrips on onions, Phytophthora capsici on cucumbers and peppers, and potential non-phytotoxic herbicides for leafy vegetables.

Click here for NRSP-4 Budget Request Summary
Please note, the request for FY 07 is the same amount ($481,172) stated in the Project Statement that was approved in September 2004. The off-the-top, multi-state funds that NRSP-4 receives are provided to partially cover the salaries of senior management and their support team at the national coordination headquarters office located at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. All research activities for NRSP-4 are funding in total by CSREES Special Grants, ARS contributions and unrestricted gifts.
 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 18.
NRSP-5

Presenter: Rueben Moore
Background:
Viruses degrade the productivity and quality of agricultural products produced by USA farms. Domestic and international sales are negatively impacted by increased production costs and lower quality fruits, nuts, and grapevines and their products. In addition to fruit and nut production, international sales of trees and vines require nursery access to virus-free propagation material that is then managed according to State certification programs.
NATIONAL CLEAN PLANT NETWORK FEB06 provide propagation material that is free of virus-like agents, but such programs in the United States are in jeopardy as funding for these service activities declines. Immediate action is needed to secure a national funding base for the delivery of diagnostic and virus elimination services to the temperate fruit, nut, and grape industries.
Purpose of funding:
To establish a mechanism to provide virus-free propagation material to nurseries and growers throughout the USA. To address regional differences in environment and cultivar demands, a coordinated network of programs is proposed. Multiple sites provide additional security against environmental and pathological calamities that may affect one location.
The proposed network to provide virus-tested propagation material (i.e. plants that have been tested and found free of known virus-like agents) for perennial horticultural crops would consist of:

• NRSP5 at Washington State University, Prosser and FPS at University of California, Davis. These programs will continue to serve as primary post-entry quarantine sites and will conduct virus elimination and most virus testing of material from foreign and domestic sources. These sites will also assist regional programs in pathogen testing as needed.
• Blocks of elite plant material established in strategic areas of the USA to serve regional interests and needs. Multiple blocks of elite material also provide resilience should unforeseen situations arise.
  • A revitalized Northwest Grape Foundation Service located at Washington State University will be integrated into the partnership.
  • A Mid-Atlantic grapevine foundation program will be established representing Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.
  • Clemson University will establish a regional fruit tree foundation block. The University currently operates a plant improvement program in partnership with growers in South Carolina and Georgia and with nurseries in Tennessee.
  • Cornell University at Geneva will re-activate grape and fruit tree virus-testing programs.
  • An advisory board with industry and scientist representation to provide direct participation of all regions of the USA in network governance.
• A USDA-CSREES Special Grants program is envisioned to encourage the advancement of diagnostic and virus elimination technologies that are the foundation of these programs. Sources of grant funds for this type of development work are very limited.

Justification of funding:
Temperate tree fruits, nut, and berries production yielded a total farm gate value of $6.04 billion in 2004 (NASS, 2005). The secondary industries such as wine production and tourism multiply the value of these industries. Nursery sales of fruit and nut trees exceeded $0.22 billion in 2003 (includes some sales of citrus and cane berry propagation units; NASS, 2004). To maintain or improve the viability of these industries, continued access to safe sources of propagation material is necessary.
As funds are decreasing, the few remaining clean planting stock programs in the USA are struggling to maintain services for our farming industry. At the same time, the necessary testing procedures to allow introduction of new material to keep these collections contemporary with national demands are becoming more sophisticated and more expensive. Additional needs to satisfy heightened requirements for security have also increased operating expenses. Because of the perennial nature of these crops, many years are required to establish disease-free collections of scientifically and economically important selections. Any interruption in funding is devastating and would require a decade from which to recover.
Rapid foreign and domestic exchange of varieties is essential for the continued economic vigor of the US tree fruit, nut, and grape industries. To achieve this level of activity while retaining safeguards that protect our industry from foreign and domestic pathogens, state-of-the-art molecular biology methods must be developed and used.
The introduction of national standards for the safe movement of propagation material is on the horizon. The success of this process will be predicated on the availability of a program capable of delivering a large number of virus-tested clones annually. To maintain the competitive position of USA agriculture, the development of a national clean plant network will proactively allow these industries and the secondary industries that rely on them to continue to flourish. Centralized virus-testing and virus-elimination facilities with regional blocks to house and distribute the elite material are at the heart of meeting these future needs.
Other Funding Sources:
Nationally, industry will continue to contribute $2,705,000 annually to clean stock programs through user-fees and contributions to State-managed certification programs via commodity check-offs. The Washington wine grape industry has contributed $112,000 to the creation of the PNW Grape Foundation Services program. Washington State University currently contributes approximately $120,000 annually to the tree fruit virus control program (NRSP5) through in-kind contributions.
Future needs:
The current request is limited to the needs of agriculture based on temperate fruit trees, nut trees and grapevines. These are the subjects of existing, highly successful programs that are in jeopardy because of stagnant budgets and increased operating costs arising from inflation and additional costs incurred because of greater security issues. However, other perennial crops need to be addressed. At present, there is little or no infrastructure available in the USA to address the inadvertent (or intentional) movement of virus-like pathogens that may be associated with many other perennial crops. Ideally, the future will see nurturing of expertise to address these needs and incorporation of a similar network to facilitate the safe introduction and movement of other perennial crops. This growth will be based on the experiences gained from the proposed National Clean Plant Network.
Click here for NRSP5 Budget Request Summary
 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 19.
NRSP-6

Presenter: Bob Westerman
Background:
 
Action Requested:

Agenda Item 20.
NRSP-7

Presenter:Garry Adams
Background: No report
 

Agenda Item 21.
NRSP-8

Presenter: Jerry Cherry
Background:
NRSP8 continues to be a focused and productive project. The project is often cited as an example of the role of the NRSP project. The
original project has, during recent years, expanded its role to include equine and aquatic species.
 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 22.
Multistate Research Committee Report

Presenter: David Morrison
Background:

1. Status Report

• The MRC is composed of Ton Klindt, Clarence Watson, Craig Nessler (new member), David Morrison (Chair), Dan Kugler, and Eric Young.
• From January 2005 until present, the MRC has reviewed and acted upon 15 multistate activities including 3 SCCs and 12 research (S) projects. Of these, 13 were approved and 2 are currently in the hands of the AAs for revisions.
• The following is a summary of the status of activities scheduled to terminate in 2005 and 2006, respectively, as well as the status of 3 new activities proposed and under consideration.

STATUS OF TERMINATING MRF PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES
 

Activity # / Advisor

Title

Actions Toward Replacement, etc.

New or Current Activity #

Projects That Terminated on September 30, 2005

S292 Jerry Cherry, GA	The Poultry Food System: A Farm to Table Model	Approved DC-311. NIMSS# S_temp862. To AC-2 Committee 7/19/04. Back to AA on 8/25/04. Extended for 1 year to Sept. 20, 2005. Submitted for peer review on 3/29/05. Peer reviewed 7/18/05. Return to AA on 7/18/05 for revisions. Submitted to MRC on 12/6/05. Sent back to AA for revisions on 1/4/06. SDC311 will terminate September 30, 2006.	SDC311
S302 Greg Weidemann, AR	Ecological and genetic diversity of soilborne pathogens and indigenous microflora	Approved SDC-315. NIMSS# S_temp1122. Sent to AC-11 11/5/04. Sent to Executive Committee on 12/15/04. Sent back to AA on 12/17/04. Submitted for peer review on 1/7/05. Peer reviewed 8/16/2005.Return to AA for revisions on 8/16/2005. SDC315 will terminate September 30, 2007.	SDC315
S303 Mark Hussey, TX	Biological Control of Arthropod Pests and Weeds	Approved SDC319. NIMSS# S_temp1242. Sent to AC-1 & AC-12 on 5/16/05. Sent to Executive Committee on 6/29/05. Sent back to AA on 71/05. Submitted for peer review on 8/29/05. Peer reviewed 10/7/05. Submitted to MRC on 1/13/06 – incomplete. Return to AA for revisions and completion on 1/17/06. AA and writing committee are in the process of completing proposal and will resubmit to MRC.	SDC319

Projects Scheduled for Termination September 30, 2006

S295 Susan Barefoot, SC	Enhancing Food Safety Through Control of Food-Borne Disease Agents	Approved SDC313. NIMSS # S_temp 1082. Sent to AC-2 & 4 9/21/04. Sent to Executive Committee on 11/3/04. Sent back to AA on 11/30/04.Extended for 1 year to September 30, 2006. SDC313 will terminate September 30, 2007.	SDC313
S298 Lisa Collins, KY	Assessing Impacts of Welfare Reform on Individual, Family, and Community Well-Being in the Rural South
S300 R. Crickenberger, NC	Improved Methods to Combat Mosquitoes and Crop Pests in Rice Fields	Extended for 1 year to Sept. 30, 2006. NIMSS# S_temp1382. Sent to SAC-12 on 1/18/06.	S_temp1382
S304 Bob Westerman, OK	Genetic improvement approaches to sustained, profitable cotton production in the United States	Approved SDC317. NIMSS# S_temp1142. Sent to AC-1 on 3/23/05. Sent to Executive Committee on 5/16/05. Sent back to AA on 6/1/05. Request 1 year extension on 6/27/05.Extended 1 year to September 30, 2006. SDC317 will terminate on 9/30/2007. Committee is working on the replacement proposal now.	SDC317
S1000 Ron Lacewell, TX	Animal Manure and Waste Utilization, Treatment and Nuisance Avoidance for a Sustainable Agriculture
S1001 Greg Weidemann, AK	Development of Plant Pathogens as Bioherbicides for Weed Control
S1002 Bob Shulstad, GA	Textile Materials and Technologies Addressing Energy, Health and Other National Security Issues	Approved SDC318.NIMSS#S_temp1182. Sent to AC-7 on 5/17/05. Sent to Exec. Committee on 6/2/05. Sent back to AA 6/3/05. Submitted for peer review on 6/23/05. Return to AA for revisions on 9/1/05. Submitted to MRC for review on 1/5/06. Sent to MRC Chair on 3/1/06 for final review.	SDC318
S1003 Skip Jubb, VA	Variety and Quality Evaluation of Virginia-Type Peanuts
S1005 Rick Roeder, AR	Sources, Dispersal and Management of Stable Flies on Grazing Beef and Dairy Cattle	NIMSS# S_temp1362.Combining S1005 & S1006together and new project name will be “Flies Impacting Livestock, Poultry and Food Safety” once approved.	S_temp1362
S1006 Rick Roeder, AR	Insect and Manure Management in Poultry Systems: Elements Relative to Food Safety and Nuisance Issues	NIMSS# S_temp1362.Combining S1005 & S1006 together and new project name will be “Flies Impacting Livestock, Poultry and Food Safety” once approved.	S_temp1362

SERA’S & SCC’s Scheduled for Termination September 30, 2006

SERA003 David Boethel, LA	Southern Region Information Exchange Group for IPM	Sent to SERA Review Committee on 8/3/05 for review. SERA Review Committee recommended approval for a one-year extension with an additional 3 years upon receipt of a revised proposal and approval by the Experiment Station Directors at the fall meeting. Approved by the directors via conference call on 10/3/05. Sent to AA for revisions 10/3/05. Committee will submit revisions after April 2006 meeting.	SERA003
SERA025 Mary Duryea, FL	Turf		SERA025
SERA026 Clarence Watson, MS	Fire Ants		SERA026
SERA030 Bob Shulstad, GA	Southern Natural Resource Economics Committee	Sent to SERA Review Committee on 8/3/05 for review. SERA Review Committee recommended approval for a one-year extension with an additional 3 years upon receipt of a revised proposal and approval by the Experiment Station Directors at the fall meeting. Approved by the directors via conference call on 10/3/05. Sent to AA for revisions 10/3/05	SERA030
SERA033 David Bridges, GA	Current Issues in Weed Biology, Weed/Crop Interactions, and Weed Management in the Southern Region		SERA033
SCC22 Kira Bowen, AL	Soil Survey	Extended for 1 year extension ending September 30, 2006.	SCC22

New Projects Being Proposed

SDC320 (NEW) Jerry Cherry, GA	Integrative Functional and Physiological Genomics of Poultry	Approved SDC320.NIMSS#S_temp1302. Sent to AC2 on 9/9/05. Sent to Executive Committee on 9/27/05. Sent back to AA on 10/19/05. SDC320 will terminate on 9/30/2007.	SDC320
SDC321 (OLD W195) Nancy Cox, KY	Environmental Issues Affecting Poultry Production (from W195)	Approved SDC321. NIMSS# S_temp1301. Sent to AC2 & AC5 on 9/21/05. Sent to Executive Committee on 10/19/05. Sent back to AA on 10/25/05.SDC321 will terminate on 9/30/2007.	SDC321
SERA (NEW) David Boethel, LA	Delta Region Farm Management and Agricultural Policy Working Group	NIMSS# S_temp1342. Sent to AC7 on 8/11/05. Sent back to AA for final revisions on 09/09/05. Submitted as final on 10/19/05. Sent to SERA Review Committee for review on 10/20/05. Notified AA of SERA Review Committee’s recommendation and review comments on 3/1/06.	S_temp1342

2. Annual Meeting
   The MRC held its annual meeting on February 6, 2006, in Orlando, FL in conjunction with the SAAS annual meeting. Items discussed included:

• Approval processes for SCCs and SERAs – determined a.) DC establishment not required for these activities, b) need to add a box in the Steps & Responsibilities stating that an AA needs to be assigned before requesting an SERA or SCC, c.) Appendix Es should be completed by faculty participating in these activities and AAs are encouraged to follow-up on this, d.) SAES-422s are required annually for SCCs and SERAs and NIMSS will not allow authorization of the next annual meeting until the previous report has been filed.
• Multistate Activity Extensions – currently, an extension request cannot be handled through NIMSS although it is on the to-do list. One-year extension requests are handled entirely via email among the AA, the ED, and Bart Hewitt. MRC is not involved. MRC agreed that our current process is working fine and should not change. ED can consult with MRC Chair or full committee as necessary for assistance with extensions.
• Annual Reports (SAES 422) – annual reports are due 60 days after the annual meeting and NIMSS now reminds AAs at 30, 60, and 90 days about need for the report. Subsequent annual meetings cannot be authorized until the previous annual report is submitted. MRC considered but declined recommendation to SAAESD that a mechanism to better ensure the timely submission of SAES-422s be developed. MRC urges AAs of SACs to have them start submitting their meeting minutes through NIMSS.
• MRC Review Form (Appendix H) – MRC reviewed Appendix H to ensure members have common understanding of the review questions.

 
Action Requested: Consideration of New SERA S_temp1342 (Delta Region Farm Management and Agricultural Policy Working Group); Dr. David Boethel will provide background.
Action Taken: On motion/second by Drs.Young/Moore a new SERA will be developed called “Beef Cattle Production” in which Dr. David Morrison will serve as the AA.
 

Agenda Item 23.
NIMSS Update

Presenter: Eric Young and Donna Pearce
Background:
NIMSS status report:

• All references to the RPA (Research Problem Area) in NIMSS have been changed to KA (Knowledge Area). There are five new KA categories that were not included in the old RPAs.
• The following new KA codes have been added into the NIMSS database:
  • 136 Conservation of Biological Diversity;
  • 141 Air Resource Protection and Management;
  • 704 Nutrition and Hunger in the Population;
  • 724 Healthy Lifestyle; and
  • 806 Youth Development
• The character limit for the Outreach Plan in the project outline forms, Appendices A and B was increased from 2,000 to 20,000 characters.
• E-mail reminder every 30/60/90 day’s after the annual meeting to submit the annual report.
• Added a mandatory box in the meeting authorization form for the start and end time of the meeting.
• Change “Linkages” to “Participating States/Institutions”, and categorize between “Land Grant” and “Non Land Grant”.
• Training users – NIMSS had been given a slot, with CRIS, at the CSREES Administrative Meeting in South Dakota, on April 30-May 4, 2006. The NIMSS/CRIS Workshop is scheduled on May 2, 1:30pm. The four system administrators are all planning to attend this meeting.
• Bart Hewitt of CSREES would prefer the annual reports to cover the Federal fiscal year. Starting October 1, 2006 the annual reports will be Oct. 1 to September 30.

As a response to the NIMSS customer satisfaction survey conducted last summer by Nikki Nelson, a number of changes/improvements are being done on NIMSS.
Among these are:

• Completed the addition of a Site Map, that would facilitate searching functions and finding the right forms to use in NIMSS
• Changed some of the colors to help with navigation
• Checked NIMSS for consistency of terms used in several places
• Initials/acronyms are spelled out whenever necessary to help users who are not familiar with these terms
• The menu is undergoing major revision to improve navigation. Once completed, sub-menus will appear vertically instead of the current horizontal format. Prompt boxes giving brief explanations or tips on how to use the page will be added.
• Another major project underway is the development of a training video by Nikki Nelson. A first version has been completed, but needs to be revised to include the update still in progress. Final copies will be available for distribution at the CSREES Administrative Meeting in South Dakota on May 2 during the NIMSS presentation. The training video will be available in CDs and as a downloadable format from the NIMSS help site.

 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 24.
Executive Director’s Report

Presenter: Eric Young
Background:
SAAESD Activities
Website
We are continued to update and add to the SAAESD web site to increase its usefulness by SAAESD members. The most recent project is that Jay Ritchie has been working with Donna to put our membership directory, member assignments, and other member related information into a searchable database. This will enable the user to retrieve information more easily and in a form they desire. Also, it will allow password-protected editing of each experiment station’s information by that station, if they wish to make changes.
Grantsmanship Workshops
SAAESD co-sponsored the CSREES Competitive Programs and Writing Successful Grants workshops, along with the Northeast Regional Association, which were held in Washington, D.C. September 7-8, 2005. This involved two separate workshops held back-to-back, one conducted by CSREES focused on their competitive programs and the other conducted by Tom Fretz and Mike Harrington focused on skills for successful grant writing applicable to any granting agency. These were attended by over 180 faculty from the southern and northeastern regions. A similar combination workshop is being planned for Dallas on October 17-18, hosted by the Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma experiment stations. Also, a Writing Successful Grants workshop is scheduled for San Juan, PR on May 9-10, which is targeted at UPR and UVI faculty as well as the gulf states.
Integrated Grants Workshop
Ron Brown (ASRED Executive Director) and I worked with CSREES to have the Southern Region Integrated Programs Grantsmanship workshop, which was hosted by the University of Kentucky on Feb 8-9, 2006. This workshop focused on the Section 406 Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Program and opportunities within the National Research Initiative for support of integrated activities. CSREES staff presented an overview of CSREES Integrated Competitive Programs and described how to integrate research, education, and extension in developing and implementing competitive proposals. Also, the past recipients of two different integrated grants discussed how they were successful. Over 85 faculty in research, extension, and academics attended.
Horticulture Heads Visit CSREES
I arranged a trip to CSREES for the horticulture department heads group (AC-1) on June 6-7 so they could meet with various NPLs and Deputy Administrators that have responsibility for horticulture and related areas. They met with 11 NPLs from Plant & Animal Systems, Economic & Community Systems, Science & Education Resources Development, Competitive Programs, and Communications, as well as Tom Bewick and Jim Green, the two horticulture NPLs, who were with the group during the whole visit. They also met with Colien Hefferan, Gary Cunningham, Ralph Otto, and Dan Kugler. The heads that attended felt that the sessions were very informative and allowed them to express their opinions on a number of topics.
AC Administrative Advisors who would like to consider a trip similar to this for their group can contact me for more details and assistance in logistics.
Southern Region Administrative Heads Meeting
The Southern Region Administrative Heads invited the Executive Director and Chair of SAAESD and ASRED to participate in their meeting with the region’s CARET delegates on August 7-8 at Clemson. Nancy Cox and I attended this meeting. The meeting included the following presentations on three research areas identified by AHS/CARET at their Spring meeting. Water and Environmental Quality – Bob Becker, Director, Strom Thurmond Institute, Clemson University; Invasive and Emerging Pests – Michael Bowers, NPL, Natural Resources and Environment, CSREES; Rural Economic Development – Bo Beaulieu, Director, SRDC. Attendees also toured research facilities on campus in packaging science and biotechnology. This was a good time to interact with the CARET delegates and the administrative heads that attended. It is clear that both groups are concerned with a broader agenda than production agriculture.
National Berry Crops Initiative
The National Berry Crops Initiative (NBCI) is a partnership of industry, academia and government formed to develop a strategic plan for the continued growth and sustainability of berry crop production in the United States. Berry crops include, but are not limited to: strawberry, brambles (raspberry, blackberry, others), blueberry, cranberry (including lingonberry) and Ribes (currant and gooseberry). A steering committee was assembled in Spring 2005 to draft the strategic plan that could be presented nationally to farmers, academia and state and federal agencies for their consideration, suggestions, and approval. Workshops are being used to bring together the steering committee with growers, researchers, extension, and other industry representatives to discuss the draft plan and put it in action.
Cotton Winter Nursery
In response to infrastructure needs to support the Cotton Winter Nursery at the Tecoman Experiment Station, Colima, Mexico, the Southern Directors and ARS, jointly committed $25,000 per year for five years to support these needs. Funds over the past two years have been used to replace the old irrigation water distribution system damaged by the earthquake, to replace the field work-shed, and for partial payment to the station for the drip irrigation system. Future needs for the CWN operations include completing obligations to the Tecoman Station for drip irrigation system payment, replacing the 20 year-old irrigation well pump, replacing the mist blower sprayer and truck with a mist blower-ATV combination, purchasing roller gins for the long staple and small samples, and repair or replacement of the saw gins.
SAAESD Assignments
S-1014, Mineral Controls on P Retention and Release in Soils and Soil Amendments, Administrative Advisor
AC-6, Horticulture, Administrative Advisor
Joint Cotton Breeding Advisory Committee and Tecoman Winter Nursery Steering Committee
Southern Region IPM Center Steering Committee
T-STAR Caribbean Basin Advisory Group
Liaison to the Association of Southern Region Extension Directors
Liaison to the Association of Research Directors (1890s)
ESCOP Activities
CSREES Administrator’s Implementation Team
In spring 2005, the CFI Group conducted a customer satisfaction survey of CSREES activities using the American Customer Satisfaction Index. This survey went to administrators, business officers, and grant applicants/recipients throughout the land grant university system. The final report was filed with CSREES last August and in December Colien Hefferan appointed an implementation team to examine the results and make specific recommendations for changes in response to customer evaluations. The majority of the team consists of the Partnership Working Group, of which I’m a member, with additional members added for balanced representation. The team began working in mid January with conference calls and the first workshop is scheduled for March 28.
Millennia Challenge Corporation
On March 1, NASULGC hosted a meeting on the Millennium Challenge Account. The purpose of the meeting was to enhance the interaction with the Millennium Challenge Corporation and opportunities for universities to be more directly involved in MCC’s programs and activities. The focus of the meeting was on deliverables and what specific actions NASULGC could facilitate to position universities for greater opportunities in the MCC. The participants agreed to undertake a number of specific action items, including arranging a meeting for NASULGC President McPherson with MCC CEO Ambassador John Danilovich, creation of a university IPA position in MCC, establishing a student internship program, developing a university expertise database for MCC use, educating universities about MCC, considering a NASULGC-MCC MOU, presenting workshops/seminars on university capabilities to MCC, and seeking to have a university president appointed to MCC’s Board. Details on MCC can be found on their web site atwww.mcc.gov
President’s 07 Budget Proposal to Change Hatch Distribution
ESCOP agreed at it’s meeting Feb 27, to designate a small group of directors to meet with CSREES to discuss how a multistate competitive program might be implemented. This in no way changes the opposition that the directors have to implementing such a plan for FY 07, but if new funds were available, this type of program may be considered. In addition, ESCOP asked the agency to have a more general discussion regarding the future of research funding including Hatch. Each region has identified two directors along with the ED to serve as a task force of 15 people to discuss the future of funding for research in programs administered by CSREES. It is intended that this broader discussion will focus on any FY 08 proposal that might impact base formula-distributed funding (Hatch, etc). In addition, a subgroup of six members (1 from each 1862 region and 2 EDs) will interact directly with an equivalent group from CSREES in their task of developing an implementation plan for the President’s FY 07 budget (i.e. a multistate, competitively awarded proposal program), which they are required to do as an agency of the Executive Branch. I will serve as one of the EDs on this subgroup.
NASULGC – DOE/EERE Collaboration
I Co-Chaired a project aimed at enhancing the working relationships of EERE scientists and engineers with university faculty by expanding the joint university/EERE lab workshops that were begun in 2004. The first workshop was held at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee and focused on building energy efficiency. This project will also be collaborating with Sun Grant personnel on their regional workshops/listening sessions on biomass and bio-products. The first of these will be held in Knoxville, TN on May 10-12, 2006
Leadership Development for the 21st Century (LEAD 21)
I have served as Chair of the Interim Board of Directors for LEAD 21. This new program was developed to replace the ESCOP/ACOP and NELD programs as the primary national intermediate-level leadership development program serving the needs of land grant universities’ colleges of agricultural, environmental, and human sciences and CSREES. It is intended to meet the future needs for leadership development of faculty, specialists, program and team leaders, research station and center directors, district and regional directors, department heads and chairs, and others. The first class of LEAD 21 graduated March 3, 2006. Program details along with application information can be found on the LEAD 21 web site at http://www.fanning.uga.edu/LEAD21/
ESCOP Assignments
BAA Policy Board of Directors (support for ESCOP representative)
Science and Technology Committee (Executive Vice-Chair)
Partnership Working Group
NIMSS Oversight Committee (Chair)
NRSP Review Committee
NIAS Board of Directors
LEAD 21 Interim Board of Directors (Chair)
NASULGC – DOE/EERE Collaboration Project 4 Committee (Co-Chair)
BAA Farm Bill Committee
National Multistate Coordinating Committee
eXtension Internal Partners Advisory Council
Millennia Challenge Corporation Core Group
CSREES Administrator’s Implementation Team
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 25.
SAAESD Strategic Plan Review

Presenter: Susan Barefoot
Background:
At the direction of the SAAESD, the ad-hoc Planning Committee [Susan Barefoot (SC, chair), Roland Mote (TN), Bob Westerman (OK), David Boethel (LA), Joe Touchton (AL), and Eric Young (ED)] proceeded with the review of the current SAAESD Strategic Plan (2000-2005;http://cipm.ncsu.edu/saaesd/5yrplan.htm), particularly the Programmatic Plan that outlines the Southern region’s highest priority research areas for multi-state activities. Input was secured via an electronic survey from all southern directors on relative priorities of research areas listed in the current programmatic plan and on new high priority research areas.
Click here for the results.
In meeting comments:

• Some additional high priority areas were added
• Planning Committee will modify list to reflect where areas are subsets of broader areas and adjust level of specificity to be more uniform
• Revised plan will be sent out to directors for review

 
Action Requested: Discussion, revision, and tentative approval of new programmatic plan
 

Agenda Item 26.
SAAESD Leadership Award Presentation

Presenter: David Boethel
Background:
David Boethel, SAAESD Chair, will present the annual SAAESD Leadership Award.
Action Taken: Drs. D.C. Coston and Gale Buchanan were presented the SAAESD Leadership Award
 

Agenda Item 27.
Report from Chief Operating Officers Meeting

Presenter: David Boethel
Background:
David Boethel, SAAESD Chair, will report on items discussed and actions taken at the Chief Operating Officers meeting held Wednesday morning.
In meeting comments:

• David Boethel reported that the Southern Region is operating in the black and there will be no increase in assessments for FY07

 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 28.
Southern Region IPM Center

Presenter: David Boethel
Background:
The Southern Region IPM Center used a two-panel process to evaluate proposals for the Southern Region IPM Competitive Grant Program. The Relevance Panel consisted of stakeholders from within the southern region and rated a 3-page Relevance Statement from each proposal against criteria in the RFA addressing stakeholder priorities; multi-state average; importance of crop/pest situation; and regional importance. The technical panel consisted of 7 panelists from outside the region in the areas of weed science, plant pathology, entomology and urban/community IPM.
There were 42 proposals submitted. Seven of 31 research proposals were funded for $664,919; one of 6 research/evaluation proposals was funded for $73,000; and two of 4 extension proposals were funded at $67,298. The institutions and number of projects funded were as follows: Clemson (1), North Carolina State (5), Texas A&M (2), University of Florida (1), and University of Puerto Rico (1).
 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 29.
Sun Grant in the Southern Region

Presenter: Tom Klindt and Bob Westerman
 
Background:
In meeting comments:

• Five regions of the U.S. will carry out the Sun Grant Initiative, with coordination led by land-grant universities that have biomass production potentials and involvement in bioenergy research.
• The five centers are Southeastern Sun Grant Center, North-Central Sun Grant Center, South-Central Sun Grant Center, Western Sun Grant Center, and Northeastern Sun Grant Center
• Oregon State has a web-base software that we are looking at using
• RFP will be on the ground in 1 to 2 months

 
Action Requested: For information only.

Agenda Item 30.
Nat. Strategic Research & Extension Plan for Specialty Crops

Presenter: Eric Young
Background:
Tom Bewick, CSREES National Program Leader for horticulture, who is leading this effort, prepared the following summary. The three strategic plans developed so far (tree fruit, grape & wine, and berry crops) can be seen at the links below.
Development of a National Strategic Research
And Extension Plan for Specialty Crops
In January of 2005, President Bush signed the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act. The law defines specialty crops as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops including floriculture. Current NASS data indicates that specialty crops surpass program crops in farm gate value and there is a concerted effort among various trade organizations and growers groups to have specialty crop issues addressed in the next farm bill. At the 2006 Agricultural Outlook Forum, USDA Secretary Johanns indicated that questions were raised at a congressional budget hearing on how USDA was going to address specialty crops given their economic importance.
In the 2003 ARS appropriations language, congress charged ARS with assessing the state of research for the tree fruit industry. Part of the ARS response was to convene a workshop at which a strategic research and extension plan, called the Tree fruit Technology Roadmap, was vetted to growers, academia and USDA. At this workshop, it became apparent that the needs of the tree fruit industry were extremely similar to the needs of many producers of horticultural crops. Working with the ARS NPL for Horticulture, we embarked on creating a national strategic plan for horticulture.
The plan is to work with individual industries to create plans that are driven by industry priorities. Once the major industries have plans, we will convene a workshop to compare and contrast the plans and weave them into a single document that can be used to identify areas where investment in research and extension will have the largest impact for all specialty crops across the entire country.
The process that is being used is to form steering committees that draft a strategic plan. Workshops are then held during which participants from industry and academia modify the plan, thereby making it their own. The steering committees are composed of key industry leaders, representatives from the land-grant partnership and sister agencies from USDA. Throughout the process, careful attention is paid to insuring that the process is industry driven, but that the land-grant system and USDA are seen in a leadership role. We are very careful to emphasize partnership and coordination.
So far strategic plans have been completed for the grape industry and the berry crop industry, in addition to the tree fruit technology roadmap. These efforts have been called the National Grape and Wine Initiative and the National Berry Crop Initiative, respectively. The web links to view the plans are:
www.treefruitresearch.com/techroad.htm
www.nationalberrycrops.org
Plans for the next 6 months include completing a planning process for citrus and convening steering committees for vegetables and the nursery industry.
 
Action Requested: Endorsement by the SAAESD of the overall effort to develop a national strategic plan for specialty crops in order to heighten decision-makers’ awareness of this industry’s importance, impact, and needs.
Action Taken: The SAAESD Directors accepted by acclamation to develop a national strategic plan for specialty crops
 

Agenda Item 31.
USDA Civil Rights Review Guidelines

Presenter: Norman Pruitt, CSREES
Background:
CSREES Equal Opportunity staff will review Civil Rights Laws and USDA nondiscrimination policies and regulations; discuss Research Directors’ responsibilities for Civil Rights administration and how to effectuate Civil Rights Laws and nondiscrimination regulations into research programs and project administration; and highlight the CSREES research review process and research guide.
Focus on Civil Rights PowerPoint
 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 32.
Specialty Crops Regulatory Initiative

Presenter:
Background:
The Specialty Crops Regulatory Initiative (SCRI) is being pursued by USDA and others in an effort to facilitate regulatory clearance of biotech-derived specialty crops. A summary of SCRI is below.
One page SCRI agency concept document:
Goal
Create an entity that will enhance the potential for U.S. consumers and farmers/growers to realize benefits from biotech-derived specialty crops or specialty traits in major crops.
Mission and scope
The entity will work within the existing regulatory framework to facilitate obtaining U.S. regulatory clearance for commercialization of biotech specialty crop varieties and traits. It will not engage in activities related to intellectual property rights protection or freedom to operate.
Justification
Half of the value of plant agriculture is derived from specialty crops. However, in contrast to major field crops, research investments in crop biotechnology are not being realized in commercialized varieties of specialty crops. A major reason for this is the expense and uncertainty of the federal biotechnology regulatory process. Facilitating the regulatory clearance of biotech-derived specialty crops will provide benefits to farmers/growers, consumers, and the environment. Existing programs to assist the commercialization of products having limited markets (i.e., FDA Orphan Drug Program and USDA IR-4 Project) have proven to be valuable resources for the public good.
Structure
The entity will be based on a collaborative partnership between public- and private-sector entities. Public partners will include universities and government organizations. Private partners will include developers of specialty crops, seed companies, technology providers and end-users of new products. The nature and level of the collaboration will evolve on a case-by-case basis. An organizational framework is proposed below.
Stakeholder Liaison Committee (SLC)
The SLC will have representatives of consumer organizations, growers/farmers, breeders, universities, technology providers, seed and nursery companies and biotechnology organizations. The SLC will:

• Solicit proposals and identify opportunities
• Develop criteria for and a process to prioritize proposals and opportunities
• Communicate the programs resources and services to relevant client communities
• Obtain resources to support the program

Program Management Board (PMB)
The PMB will have individuals with relevant science- and business-based expertise drawn from the public and private sectors. The PMB will:

• Provide programmatic guidance, oversight, and review
• Develop policies and procedures
• Establish operational budgets

Headquarters staff (HS)
The HS will have a science-based operations and support staff team with the requisite skills. The HS will:

• Implement programs identified by the SLC
• Function within parameters established by the PMB

Addressing the regulatory constraints to commercialization of biotech specialty crops is essential to capitalize on prior and current research investments and to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture.

SCRI Steering Committee:
Ted Batkin, Citrus Research Board
June Blalock, USDA ARS
Kent Bradford, UC Davis
Michael Dobres, NovaFlora
David Douches, MSU
Bill Goldner, USDA CSREES
Neal Gutterson, Mendel Biotechnology
Elizabeth Hood, Arkansas State University
Nirmal Joshee, Fort Valley
Katherine Kahn, Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA
Sally McCammon, USDA-APHIS
Alan McHughen, UC Riverside
Peter Mascia, Ceres
Eldon Ortman, Purdue & USDA CSREES
John Radin, USDA ARS
Keith Redenbaugh, Seminis
Govind Sharma, Alabama A&M
Kathy Swords, Simplot
Ann Marie Thro, USDA CSREES
Stephanie Whelan, Hawaiia Agricultural Research Center

Specialty Crops Regulatory Initiative PowerPoint
 
Action Requested: For information only.

Agenda Item 33.
National Cooperative Soil Survey

Presenter: Richard Guthrie
Background:
SE_dean_directors_NCSS for National Cooperative Soil Survey PowerPoint
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 34.
2007 Joint SAAESD/ASRED Spring Meeting Schedule

Presenter: Lisa Collins
Background:
The 2007 Joint SAAESD/ASRED will be held April 2 – 4, 2007 at the Radisson Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky. New this year is an itinerary that begins at noon on Monday, April 2 and ends on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 4.
A conference registration and hotel reservation Web site is being developed now. Attendees and their spouses will be treated to a taste of horse country, as well as historic downtown Lexington.
A chart that shows the 2005 joint meeting schedule, with a comparison to the tentative agenda for the 2007 meeting follows:
April 2 – 4, 2007: Joint SAAESD and ASRED Meeting, Tentative Schedule
(2005/2007 Comparison)

SUNDAY (first day of 2005 meeting)

6:00 – 8:00 pm: Joint Welcome Reception

MONDAY (second day of 2005 meeting)

6:30 – 8:00 am: Joint Breakfast

8:00 – 10:00 am: Joint ASRED & SAAESD Meeting

10:00 – 10:30 am: Joint Break

10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Separate Meetings	MONDAY (first day of 2007 meeting)
12:00 – 1:00 pm: Joint Lunch	9:00 am – 3:00 pm: Registration
1:00 – 3:00 pm: Separate Meetings	11:30 am – 1:00 pm: Joint Welcome Lunch
3:00 – 3:30 pm: Joint Break	1:00 – 3:00 pm: Joint ASRED & SAAESD Meeting
3:30 – 5:00 pm: Separate Meetings	3:00 – 3:30 pm: Joint Break
6:00 – 8:30 pm: Joint Reception and Dinner	3:30 – 5:00 pm: Separate Meetings
	5:30 pm: Joint Reception

TUESDAY (third day of 2005 meeting)	TUESDAY (second day of 2007 meeting)
6:30 – 8:00 am: Joint Breakfast (and SAAESD Chief Operating Officers’ Breakfast Meeting)	6:30 – 8:00 am:Joint Breakfast (and SAAESD Chief Operating Officers’ Breakfast Meeting)
8:00 – 10:00 am: Joint Meeting	8:00 – 10:00 am: Joint Meeting
10:00 – 11:00 am: Joint Break and prepare for tour	10:00 – 10:30 am: Joint Break
11:00 am – 8:30 pm: Joint Tour and Dinner	10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Separate Meetings
	12:00 – 1:00 pm: Joint Lunch and prepare for tour
	1:30 – 8:30 pm: Joint Tour and Dinner

 

WEDNESDAY (final day of 2005 meeting)	WEDNESDAY (final day of 2007 meeting)
6:30 – 8:00 am: Joint Breakfast	6:30 – 8:00 am: Joint Breakfast
8:00 – 10:00 am: Separate Meetings	8:00 – 10:00 am: Joint ASRED and SAAESD Meeting
10:00 – 10:30 am: Joint Break	10:00 – 10:30 am: Joint Break
10:30 – 11:30 am: Separate Meetings	10:30 am – 12:00 pm: Separate Meetings
11:30 am: Adjourn	12:00 – 1:00 pm: Joint Lunch
	1:00 – 2:00 pm: Separate Meetings
	2:00 pm: Adjourn

People at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture are already working hard to make the 2007 Joint SAAESD/ASRED Spring Meeting a memorable one. Be sure to put the dates on your calendar now.
In meeting comments:

• Feel new format won’t cut down on weekend travel
• Need to plan activities for Monday morning for those who come in on Sunday
• 2008 host may want to go back to “OLD” format

 
Action Requested: For information only.
 

Agenda Item 35.
Resolutions Committee Report

Presenter: Rick Roeder and Mary Duryea
Background:
Resolutions in Appreciation will be offer to Dr. William F. Brown and to Dr. Vance Watson and the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experiment Station.
Action Taken: A resolution of appreciation was read for Dr. William F. Brown who has left the Association. A resolution of appreciation was also read for Dr. Vance Watson and staff of the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Experiment Station at Mississippi State University for their roles in hosting the SAAESD Spring Meeting. A round of applause approved the resolutions.
 

Agenda Item 36.
Announcements, Future Meeting Plans, etc.

Presenter: David Boethel
Background:
The next SAAESD meeting will be Monday morning, September 25, 2006 in Lake Tahoe, NV, just prior to the Experiment Station Section meeting and the SAES/ARD Workshop.
Meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m.