Back to Workroom
NERA
Northeastern Regional Association
June 26, 2001
Draft Minutes
W. Ronnie Coffman, Chair
J. Scott Angle (MD)
Adesoji Adelaja (NJ)
Paul Backman (PA)
Daniel Decker (NYC)
Cameron Hackney (WV)
Rachel Johnson (VT)
Kirklyn Kerr (CTS)
David R. MacKenzie (NERA)
Bruce A. McPheron (PA)
Larry Miller (CSREES)
Mark Mount (MA)
Natalie Moy (NERA)
John Nye (DE)
Stephen Reiling (ME)
Daniel Rossi (NJ)
Robert C. Seem (NYG)
Jeffrey R. Seemann (RI)
William R. Trumble (NH)
William E. Vinson (WV)
Michael Voiland (NYC)
Gloria S. Wyche-Moore (DC)
Stephan Goetz (NERCRD), Presenter
John Babish (NRSP-7), Presenter
Rubie Mize (NERA), Recorder
MAJOR DECISIONS
THE JOB JAR
(Work Assignments for the Executive Director)
List of URLs mentioned in the Minutes:
Minutes of the NERA Meeting on January 30, 2001, in College Park, MD:
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/NERAMinutesJanuary.html
Report and Recommendations of the NE-Regional Research Committee, June 26, 2001:
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/RRCReportJune2001.htm
Northeast Region Selected Regional Priorities for Multistate, Integrated Research and Extension Projects:
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/NEPriorities.htm
Minutes of the NERA Executive Committee Meeting, June 24, 2001:
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/ExCommMinutesJune2001.htm
2000 Accomplishments Report for the Office of the Executive Director
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/2000accomplishment/
THE JOB JAR (Work Assignments for the Executive Director from the last NERA Meeting,
January 30-31, 2001)
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/JobJarJune2001.html
Uses of the Term "Regional" In Multistate Research Management
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/regional.htm
Impact Statements for selected Northeast Multistate Projects for 2000
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/Projects/impacts/
Homepages of Northeast Multistate Research projects
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/userforms/nera/Projects/
National Information Management and Support System (NIMSS)
http://www.lgu.umd.edu/
ECOP/ESCOP Joint Planning Committee Report - Strategies for Enhanced Engagement
http://www.escop.msstate.edu/committee/engage.pdf
Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development Summer 2001 Report
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/NERCRDReport.htm
Northeast Pest Management Center Report
http://nepmc.org/as/may01/report.html
Proposal to Create Northeastern Research Support Projects (NeRSP)
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/nersp.html
ESS Meeting, SAES/ARD Workshop and Regional Meetings in Couer d'Alene, Idaho, Sept. 24-27, 2001
http://www.escop.msstate.edu/
Tuesday, June 26:
Call to order and introductions - Ronnie Coffman
The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00am. The agenda was rearranged to allow time for discussions on the Regional Priorities with CARET and the Extension Chair, Larry Cote.
Each participant made a brief introduction and reported on updates in their respective institutions.
Consideration of Previous Minutes - R. Coffman
The minutes of the NERA meeting held on January 30, 2001, in College Park, MD, was approved as posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/NERAMinutesJanuary2001.html
Interim Actions by the Chair - R. Coffman Actions Taken by Chair (February to June, 2001):
NERA Executive Committee Report - R. Coffman
Chair Coffman reported that he consulted the NERA members regarding the performance of the NERA staff. Majority approved the proposed salary increase and lauded the outstanding performance of the staff. Although the OED proposed a level budget for FY2002 with the increased in operating costs to be absorbed by a carry-over, the Executive Committee proposed a 4% increase to absorb the 4% COLA that State of Maryland employees will be given next year. The Chair asked the members, but there were no concerns expressed on the 4% increase.
A motion was made to approve the proposed NERA Budget for FY01-02 as presented. The motion was seconded and approved.
Nominations Committee Report - R. Coffman and J. Nye
The Nominations Committee put forward two nominations:
William Trumble (NH) will replace Paul Backman (PA) as officer-at-large.
J. Scott Angle (MD) will replace W. Ronnie Coffman as past-chair next year and will represent the Northeast when the region's turn for chairing ESCOP comes up in 2003.
A motion was made to accept both nominations. The motion was seconded and passed.
J. Nye reported that two nominations from the Northeast were needed for the new Board of Agriculture. C. Hackney has been nominated but no other names were put forward. J. Nye asked the members to contact him if they decide to nominate another person from the Northeast.
NE Regional Research Committee Report Distributed - R. Seem
The RRC Report was distributed earlier by Rubie Mize. R. Seem noted that the report will be considered in the afternoon.
CARET joins NERA meeting to discuss: "How can we work better with CARET as an advocacy group?"
Eleven members of CARET joined the NERA meeting. J. Nye gave a brief background on how critical CARET's role is in their work with the Budget Committee. He added that the House recommended flat funding but added earmarks. The Northeast is behind as far as earmarks are concerned. Champions are needed to support the system and target priorities that are already identified in the region. The priorities fit well in the budget categories. A project for the Northeast could be easily identified under "dependable food supply".
R. Coffman noted that it has been difficult to complete the list of champions. The discussion later on with NEED Chair Larry Cote aims to identify additional champions to complete the list. He urged the directors to identify faculty in their institutions and put forward recommendations. We should then give these champions full support to pursue the priorities they are responsible for. Multistate projects should be created to address these regional priorities.
Some CARET members expressed their frustration on the lack of direction coming from Administrative Heads. The NERA directors were urged to communicate to their heads that CARET contacts, training, and the continuity they provide for the System are underutilized. They requested that important issues be summarized in bullet format, budget lines and specific pieces of legislation identified so they could concentrate on pushing for specific points that will enable them to deliver a clear and concise message to the legislators.
Discussions evolved around ways on how funding could be assured for the priorities. Suggestions were made that Multistate Projects should be created based on the priorities, earmarks can also be added in the appropriations for activities that the Region would be willing to support. The next budget is currently under discussion. This may be a good opportunity to insert earmarks.
OED Accomplishment Report for 2000 - D. MacKenzie
The OED Accomplishment Report can be found at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/2000accomplishment/
D. MacKenzie reported that he is very heavily involved in the drafting of the Science Roadmap. Comments were given that there should be consistency in the message that is being expressed. C-FAR is pushing to double the funding for agricultural research. The directors agreed that NERA should be a member of C-FAR. D. MacKenzie added that it would also be worthwhile to commission a study to assess the value of agriculture and natural resources in the region.
D. MacKenzie had commissioned NERCRD to prepare a manuscript analyzing and summarizing scientific articles that have been written on land use.
He is also preparing the surveys for the NRSPs. The directors encouraged him to go ahead with the short and long versions and let the respondents choose the version they want to complete. However, it would be useful to identify a few individuals and request them to complete the long version.
D. MacKenzie distributed copies of the New Hampshire Experiment Station Report. He said the Report had caught the attention of colleagues in the other regions. New Hampshire did a good job in reporting their accomplishments of last year.
OED Job Jar Report (from last meeting) - D. MacKenzie
OED Job Jar can be found at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/JobJarJune2001.html
D. MacKenzie highlighted a few points in his report. The impact statements for selected multistate projects were prepared and posted in the NERA webpage at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/Projects/impacts/
The clarification of the matching fund from sponsoring states was also cleared with CSREES.
Update on IFAFS and the Northeastern MOU - D. MacKenzie
In support of IFAFS, D. MacKenzie conducted 4 workshops throughout the region and drafted the MOU that was used by some applicants. There seemed to be agreement in most aspects of the MOU except intellectual property.
Comments were exchanged concerning IFAFS and there was consensus that it may be worthwhile to participate actively in the Federal Demonstration Project. Membership will open up in one year. Chair Coffman noted that it may be good for NERA to join. S. Reiling requested for a list of Northeast states who are already members.
Note: Chair Coffman turned over the meeting to Vice-Chair Mount (11-12am). R. Coffman had to attend the NEED meeting to discuss the Northeast Priorities Report.
ESCOP Meeting Updates and Committee Reports
I. Budget and Legislative Committee - R. Coffman/S. Angle
The Budget Report was already delivered earlier in the meeting by J. Nye.
II. Advocacy and Marketing Committee - D. MacKenzie
D. MacKenzie reported that activities have been on hold for the last six months. The Committee is considering alternatives on the use of the remaining SUNEI fund to do impact assessments. It also supports the creation of a NRSP for the Social Science Research Center to analyze the use of Multistate Funds, and supports the implementation of the Multistate Activities Programs a.k.a. MAPs.
III. Science and Technology - P. Backman/G. Wyche-Moore
The Committee is undergoing transition to a new chair. The last meeting was 4 months ago and they also met at the Baltimore meeting to discuss the creation of an ESCOP-ECOP biotechnology group. The Committee will also review the Science Roadmap being drafted.
IV. Partnerships - T. Fretz/A. Adelaja
The Committee had nothing to report at this time.
V. Planning - K. Kerr/W. Trumble
W. Trumble distributed a copy of the Committee's response to the Kellogg Report and the call for engagement that came out of the Baltimore meeting. He urged the directors to review the report and to share their comments with him. He is chairing the sub-committee that will be responsible for the implementation of the Report. The document will be shared with the ESS at the September meeting. Comments were given that technology transfer is important and consideration should be made in endorsing Toenissen's strategy for intellectual property management.
The full report is available at url---
http://www.escop.msstate.edu/committee/engage.pdf
VI. Executive - J. Nye/D. MacKenzie
ESCOP Executive Committee will meet in Minneapolis in July. Topics to be discussed are issues on reorganization and future relationship with AESOP. The committee also met at NASULGC to ease the tension between C-FAR and the Food and Society. There were fundamental differences in terms of supporting Formula funding.
Update Report: Northeast Region Selected Regional Priorities for Multistate, Integrated Research and Extension Projects - R. Coffman and L. Cote
NEED Chair Larry Cote joined the group at 1:00pm to discuss the
The Joint Session Report (Jan. 2001) posted at url:
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/NEPriorities.htm
NEED and NERA chairs encouraged the directors to give full support to the champions identified. Support can come in different ways, such as release time, monetary (if budgets would allow) or hiring of additional staff. L. Cote and R. Coffman will complete identifying champions in the coming weeks. The next step is to hold a conference with the Administrative Heads and explain how CARET could play an important role in putting forward the region's priorities. Administrative support may be necessary. NRAES can provide the services of a facilitator. D. MacKenzie also offered the services of NERA, if needed. Stephan Goetz accepted the invitation to be the champion for rural communities.
NRSP-7 Report and Discussion - John Babish
John Babish delivered his report on the accomplishments and status of NRSP-7. This project does not receive off-the-top funding. Funding comes from special grant, but the SAES provide the faculty and state matching funds.
Resolutions Committee Report - R. Coffman
Chair Coffman read the Resolutions drafted and submitted earlier by J. Hunter:
WHEREAS, Dr. John C. Nye served with distinction since 1991 as Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the University of Delaware, while also serving as Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station and Director of the Cooperative Extension, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nye was a very active member of the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (NERA), and served as Chair of NERA and as a member of the Regional Research Committee, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Nye has fulfilled significant national responsibilities, including serving as Chair of the FY95 Budget Development Subcommittee for the Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP); as a member of the FY95 Budget Committee of the Board on Agriculture of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC); and as Chair of the FY01 Budget Advocacy Committee of NASULGC, in addition to serving as the Co-Chair of the Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences of the United States Department of Agriculture in 1995-96,
Now, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors meeting at Pennsylvania State University on June 26, 2001, express sincere appreciation for Dr. Nye's many contributions to the Association, and wish him much success in his future professional endeavors, and he and his wife, Gloria, much happiness and many enjoyable flights together.
WHEREAS, Dr. Paul A. Backman served as Director of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station, as well as Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education at The Pennsylvania State University since 1998, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Backman was an active member of the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (NERA), and served as a member of the Regional Research Committee,
WHEREAS, Dr. Backman served as the Administrative Advisor for the Pasture Consortium; NE-187, Best Management Practices for Turf Systems in the East; and NE-501, a regional research and extension project to contain plum pox (Sharka) virus; and as member of the Science and Technology Committee of the Experiment Station Committee On Organization and Policy (ESCOP),
Now, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors meeting at The Pennsylvania State University on June 26, 2001, express sincere appreciation to Dr. Backman for his contributions to the Association, and wish him much success in his future activities as a member of the faculty of the Department of Plant Pathology at The Pennsylvania State University.
WHEREAS, Dr. Patrick A. Logan served with distinction as Director of the Rhode Island Agricultural Experiment Station since 1996, and as Director of Cooperative Extension at Rhode Island since 1999, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Logan was an active participant in meetings of the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Logan served as administrative advisor for NE-176, Characterization and Mechanisms of Plant Responses to Ozone in the Northeastern U.S., and fulfilled an important liaison role with the Northeast Aquaculture Center,
Now, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors meeting at Pennsylvania State University on June 26, 2001, express sincere appreciation for Dr. Logan for his contributions to the Association, and wish him much success in his future research and teaching activities as a Professor of Entomology in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Rhode Island.
WHEREAS, the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors participated in an important and productive meeting at Nittany Lion Inn, in State College, PA , and
WHEREAS, the Directors also were involved in a joint meeting with deans of colleges, leaders of extension and academic programs, and CARET representatives from the Northeast Region on June 24-27, 2001, and
WHEREAS, the Northeastern Experiment Station Directors enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere of the Nittany Lion Inn,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Directors acknowledge their appreciation to Director Paul Backman, Mary Leone, and Gary Petersen for their efforts in making the meeting a great success and a very enjoyable experience.
A motion was made to approve the above Resolutions. The motion was seconded and passed. Chair Coffman presented the NERA souvenir bells to the directors and signed the Resolutions.
Consideration of NE RRC Report - R. Seem
R. Seem higlighted some of the items in the report. Comments were made on the proposed creation of committees under the by-laws for department heads. North Central has similar structures set up for specific fields.
The Report and Recommendations of the Regional Research Committee is at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/RRCReportJune2001.htm
A motion was made to accept the RRC Report. It was seconded and passed.
NE Regional Center for Rural Development Report - Stephan Goetz
S. Goetz distributed copies of his report that can be found at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/NERCRDReport.htm
Funding for NERCRD from off-the-top has been flat for some years. The Center submitted an IFAFS proposal that has participants from seven states. He delivered a presentation on Land Use in Munich, Germany. Chair Coffman noted that Land Use and Wildlife Management are two projects that the Center could be actively involved in.
S. Goetz submitted an earlier request for John Holstead to be re-appointed in his second term as the Northeast representative to the Technical Advisory Committee. A motion was made to this effect. It was seconded and passed.
Northeast Pest Management Center (formerly PAIP) Report - R. Seem
Special grants for the Center had stopped two years ago, but now funded under the 406 authority. NEREAP-3 had secured a facilitator position currently being held by Jim VanKirk. He maintains the webpage for the project at url---
http://nepmc.org/
R. Seem distributed copies of the report that is also available at url---
http://nepmc.org/as/may01/report.html
He added that there is possibility that the project will sunset as a Center, but may continue in another form in the future. He added that IPM investigators should be tracked because the Center is good at reporting outcomes and impacts.
D. MacKenzie will write-up proposals for Centers for review by the Multistate Activities Committee.
Discussion of proposed NE Regional Support Project (NeRSP) - D. MacKenzie
The background for this discussion can be found at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/nersp.html
There was agreement that there is merit in exploring this new set of multistate activities. The directors approved the creation of NeRSPs having the same characteristics as NRSPs but regional is scope.
Discussion of "Regional to Multistate" Proposal - D. MacKenzie
D. MacKenzie's documentation can be found at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/regional.htm
A motion was made to revise the NERA Rules of Operation to reflect the following changes:
Update on the Northeast Paperless System and National Information Management Support System Demonstration - R. Mize & N. Moy
R. Mize gave an update on the features added to the Northeast Paperless System since the last report in January. A webpage containing homepages for all the individual Northeast multistate projects is now available at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/userforms/nera/Projects/
Data for the projects' homepages are derived from the system's database and hence, are automatically updated as reports are submitted.
R. Mize also gave a report on the status of the NIMSS development:
N. Moy gave a brief walk through of NIMSS. The directors were pleased with the progress of the development of Phase I. NIMSS is scheduled for debut at the September meeting in Idaho, and implementation will start October 1.
NIMSS can be found at url---
http://www.lgu.umd.edu/
2001 September NERA Meeting - D. MacKenzie
The next meeting will be on September 27 at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, from 11am to 2pm. The time alloted is too short. D. MacKenzie will explore the possibility of extending the meeting until 5:00pm.
The meeting will be in conjunction with the New Directors' Orientation and SAES Workshop. Details of the meeting are posted at the Workroom of the ESCOP homepage at url--- http://www.escop.msstate.edu/
Future Meeting - C. Hackney
C. Hackney announced that the 2002 Joint Session will be hosted by West Virginia in Morgantown, WV. The Planning Committee will be asked to organize soon. Possible topics being considered are the promotion of integration of Research and Extension agenda, and bringing in the Agricultural Research Service as an active partner. He invited the members to propose other topics. Possible speakers are the West Virginia University President and maybe a legislator. Spouse activities will be planned, examples are glass tours and water rafting. He asked the directors to share their ideas as plans are being developed.
CSREES Report - L. Miller
Chair Coffman asked Larry Miller of CSREES to share his report on CSREES. The 2002 budget had been released and the recommendation is for level funding. 406 will be the same as last year's with no new categories. IFAFS is also restricted. Several NPL positions had been advertized and the interviews are ongoing. Majority of candidates come from LGUs and ARS. Announcement of the reorganization of CSREES will also be coming out soon.
Summary Comments and Closing by the Chair - R. Coffman
Chair Coffman announced that he is moving on to be the Director for International Programs at Cornell. Dan Decker has taken up the position of Director of the Experiment Station in Ithaca. He thanked the members for attending and participating in this fruitful meeting and will see everyone again at the September meeting. He will still be presiding that meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:15pm.