Back to Workroom
NERA
Northeastern Regional Association
March 6-7, 2002
Minutes
Mark S. Mount, Chair
MAJOR DECISIONS
Deferred action on all NRSPs' off-the-top funding requests for the summer meeting.
THE JOB JAR
(Work Assignments for the Executive Director)
Wednesday, March 6:
Call to Order – Chair
Chair Mount called the meeting to order at 8:00 am and asked each member to make a brief introduction and comments about current events in their home institutions.
Consideration of the Meeting Minutes from Couer d’Alene, Idaho - Chair
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/NERAMinutesSept2001.html
The minutes as posted in the above url was unanimously approved without revision. A motion was made, seconded and passed.
Interim Actions by the Chair – Chair
The following are the interim actions taken by Chair Mount during the period Sept. 2001 to February 2002:
NERA Executive Committee Report – Chair
Chair Mount gave a brief report on the topics discussed at the Executive Committee Meeting held yesterday, March 5, 2-4pm. The meeting notes are posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/NERAExecCommMarch2002.html
Executive Director's Job Jar Report - D. MacKenzie
D. MacKenzie’s report is posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/JobJarMarch2002.html
He highlighted some points in his report. He will be collaborating with G. Cooper to develop a manual on how to complete the annual report, SAES-422. G. Cooper will collect exemplary examples from reports submitted. These will be the basis for writing the manual. The online SAES-422 form in NIMSS now requires concise and brief impact statements to be included.
A Land Use meeting was held in Orlando, FL with the objective of coming up with, not just a report, but a book on Land Use Management which will include lessons learned in preserving open spaces from our European counterparts.
D. MacKenzie mentioned the NRSP portfolio review being conducted by the Social Science Research Center at Mississippi State University. A focus group of about 20 people will be invited to participate. The NERA directors recommended that one regional Executive Director should participate. J. Hunter also suggested that stakeholders in the NRSPs should be included. D. MacKenzie will ask Dick Heimsch who has been invited to the focus group.
The Science Roadmap has undergone a second printing due to popular demand. M. Harrington of the Western Region put together a 4-page glossy summary. It was suggested that copies of the Science Roadmap be brought to the summer meeting and it be discussed with the CARET members.
On the Counterfactual Study, Bob Evenson and Wally Huffman have been commissioned by ESCOP to develop the study. The results will be the theme of the ESS Meeting in Sept. Data visualization, retrospective and perspective, will be provided by the Mississippi State University’s Social Science Research Center.
On IFAFS 2001, the Northeast fared better than the previous year, although it is hard to gauge the exact success in the NE because sub-contract information is not publicly available. The directors know for a fact that several institutions in the NE are subcontractors in a number of successful IFAFS projects. D. MacKenzie attributed this success partly to the grantsmanship seminars that he has been conducting in the region. He is working with Scott Angle (MD) and Zane Helsel (NJ) in developing a Grantsmanship Manual for functionally integrated, multi-institutional proposal development. He encouraged the directors who have successful IFAFS projects to send him copies of proposals for inclusion in the Manual. Any PI identities in the proposal will be deleted.
CSREES Update - Larry Miller and Ralph Otto
L. Miller gave his comments on the re-organization and he noted that there has been noticeable changes in attitude and the way business is conducted. Different scenarios on the areas of emphasis for NRIs are being considered. Groups have been formed formally and informally to discuss these issues. ARS and CSREES organized a comprehensive stakeholder workshop around the six major goals. The workshop was conducted on Nov. 28-29, 2001. Results of the proceedings will be made available on the web. He also added that genomics is a high priority in Dr. Jen’s agenda particularly research for ways to control microorganisms.
R. Otto will be distributing copies of the reorganization’s chart if Dr. Hefferan does not provide them at the dinner reception. The new Deputy Administrator assignments are:
Plant and Animal Systems – Ralph Otto
Natural Resources and Environment – Dan Kugler
Economic and Community Systems – Alma Hobbs
Families, 4-H and Nutrition – Jane Coulter
Office of Extramural Programs – Louise Ebaugh
Competitive Programs – Ted Wilson
Science and Resources Development – George Cooper
Information Systems and Technology Management – Sally Rockey
He noted that the Partnerships Office was abolished. Rod Brown is the new deputy undersecretary. He gave credit to SUNEI for bringing Rod Brown to USDA, and noted that collaborations within the LGU system such as SUNEI could bring about results. He also added that Drs. Veneman and Jen intends to review Extension throughout the system.
D. MacKenzie added that Dr. Gary Cunningham who will now be responsible for the multistate and POW functions. Dr. Cunningham plans to hire GS 15s in his division.
NRSP-4/IR-4 Report – Jerry Baron
J. Baron gave his PowerPoint presentation. It was well received by the directors who were pleased with their involvement in this project. J. Baron’s presentation opened an extensive discussion on consumer behavior related to acceptance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The conclusion was to hold a meeting with the economic aspect of biotechnology as the theme. J. Seemann and C. Wessells of Rhode Island volunteered to put the meeting together. In addition to RI, directors of WV, NJ and NYC promised to actively participate. The goal would be to provide good information to the public. C. Wessels said that the first step is to look at existing information and identify gaps. It might be useful to organize as a NE, NEC, or NEREC. The big gap may be in information dissemination. It was suggested that industry and commerce representatives and bio-ethics experts should be invited to the meeting.
D. MacKenzie noted that there are two missing pieces:
There are also two separate issues to be addressed: Food Safety and Environmental Safety.
Going back to the NRSP portfolio, B. Wiersma asked how much the stations have to pay to keep their involvement in good NRSPs such as NRSP-4. He will bring this up again at the discussion of the Multistate Activities Committee report.
Discussion of Multistate Activities Programs (MAPs) – D. MacKenzie
Background documentation on MAPs are posted at posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/maps_final.htm
D. MacKenzie's PowerPoint presentation is posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/MAPs.htm
There was general feeling that the concept being proposed is sound. However, there was also general concern for additional reporting requirements on top of what the stations are accountable now. It was explained that the purpose of MAPs is to secure additional funding, but additional funds will not be given if we could not demonstrate accountability. It is also a good approach to show that there are research activities already in the pipeline that need additional funding. Biosecurity will ideally fall under this category. The directors expressed support for MAPs but strongly opposes additional parallel reporting. They want one reporting system for formula fund that will replace the numerous reports presently required. A. Adelaja suggested building an accountability system for formula funds and having strategic resource commitments as a result of this.
The motion to support the concept of MAPs was seconded and passed.
D. MacKenzie will raise the concerns expressed by the directors to Colin Kaltenbach, Chair of the MAPs Committee.
Multistate Activities Committee Report distributed for consideration tomorrow - R. Seem
R. Seem distributed the MAC Report and Recommendations and urged the directors to review the report. Discussion of the report will be first on the agenda tomorrow.
Consideration and adoption of the Northeast Supplementary Guidelines – Chair
Comments on the NE Supplementary Guidelines were collected after the Sept. meeting and changes were incorporated in the version posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/nesupguidelines.html
The motion to adopt the Northeast Supplementary Guidelines as posted on the web was seconded and passed.
Update on the Implementation of the Northeast Region’s Joint Priorities – Chair
Chair Mount reported that the procedures for establishing NERECs was already approved by the Northeast Extension directors at their last meeting. It has also been recommended for approval by the Executive Committee and the Multistate Activities Committee.
D. MacKenzie explained that the strategy was to be able to spend money on NEREC and to have a parallel multistate NE project for both integrated and multistate credit. Hatch projects can also be linked to NERECs for integrated credit. These are jointly planned, co-funded and interwoven, so they can be reported as integrated activities.
A motion was made to accept the procedure as posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/NERECollaborativeProcedures.htm
The motion was seconded and passed.
Potato Research – B. Wiersma and S. Reiling
B. Wiersma noted that it is time to come up with more creative solutions for funding and coordinating research activities such as the Potato Research. The possibility of getting a special grant should be explored. D. MacKenzie, advisor for NE-184, is currently guiding the rewrite of the project to address these issues. He suggested that a new category of multistate research that would facilitate distribution of funds could be created, much like a virtual center. This will eliminate the complication of not having a mechanism to manage multi-institutional funding. D. MacKenzie will initiate work on developing an Integrated Virtual Potato Center and will consult with both B. Wiersma and S. Reiling.
NIMSS Quick Tips – R. Mize
R. Mize gave a quick demonstration of NIMSS highlighting tips for the following:
Northeast Sun Grant Initiative – M. Voiland
M. Voiland was requested by D. Decker, who was unable to attend this meeting, to inform the directors that they will be contacted soon regarding the Sun Grant Initiative. Funding has been appropriated to support the planning for the Center of Excellence and the Sun Grant Competitive Grants Program. Cornell was requested to provide the leadership for this initiative. M. Voiland distributed handouts.
Comments from Chair before closing the day’s meeting – Chair
Chair Mount recapped the excellent discussions of the day specifically on IR-4 that led to the GMOs discussion, the MAPs agreement and the NEREC's approval process. He reminded the directors to take note of their questions for Colien Hefferan who will be the guest speaker at the dinner. Her topic will be on the recent reorganization of CSREES. The meeting adjourned for the day, at 4:30pm.
Thursday, March 7:
Consideration of the Multistate Activities Committee Report – R. Seem
The Report and Recommendations of the Multistate Activities Committee is posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/MACReportMarch2002.html
Clarifications were sought on the actions recommended by the Multistate Activities Committee as follows:
Item #9: The project is being recommended for approval for a duration of 15 years. The breeding aspect of the project justifies this long term. However, there was consensus that a mid-term review on the 5th or 7th year may be in order. D. MacKenzie suggested letting the CSREES reorganization settle and then he will work out a review strategy with the project’s advisor, J. Hunter.
Item #10: B. Wiersma is concerned about the absence of an explanation for the reasons for disapproving the project. R. Seem and W. Trumble explained that the disapproval is not because of the quality of the proposal. It just happened that this is the first NRSP submitted for revision in this round of review. The directors have again expressed their disappointment over the way NRSPs are managed administratively and the lack of strategy for sun-setting projects to free up funding for new ones. ESCOP will be requested to find a mechanism for graduating NRSPs so that after a certain period no more off-the-top funding will be provided and a condition will be made that initial investment should be used to leverage outside funding.
B. Wiersma noted that the AES is a marvelous network for coordinating an activity such as NRSP-3. The AES should remain involved. How much will it take to keep AES involvement in NRSPs such as NRSP-3 and NRSP-4? L. Miller clarified that funding is not a requirement. NRSP-7, for instance, does not get any off-the-top funding.
A clarification was made on the recommendation that the request for approval was turned down not because of the quality of science but because of administrative issues. In addition, the decision for item #10, NRSP-3, will be deferred.
A motion was made to accept MAC’s recommendations for items #1-#10 as presented. A friendly amendment was made to defer the decision on item #10, NRSP-3, for the summer meeting. The motion was seconded and passed.
A motion was made to accept item #11, the off-the-top funding for NE-9, and NE-59 specifically for the NE Center for Rural Development. A discussion on all the off-the-top finding obligations by the stations came up. This will be included as a topic for the summer meeting agenda. It was suggested that the OED prepare a spreadsheet to be posted on the web and to be completed online. Categories will be designed and should include extension, research, academic programs, international programs, etc. Although responses may vary among Deans and Directors, this discussion may be a good start to devise a mechanism to sunset fees after some time.
The motion to accept item #11 was seconded and passed.
C. Hackney updated the directors on item #13, NEREAP-4, Food Safety. Alternatives to revive the project were: change the focus to bio-security basic research on distribution, use of sensors and training programs, or join a Southern project started in Nebraska by extension. The Southern project already has NY-Cornell and PA as members. D. Rossi suggested re-designing NE-165 and build it into a food safety project. There was interest in continuing NEREAP-4 but the turn of events in the 406-IFAFS dealt with pre-farm gate instead of post-gate HACCP (which was the focus of NEREAP-4). One person suggested reinvigorating the project or join the other region and to go after special grants money.
J. Seemann suggested for inclusion in the summer meeting agenda the Farm Bill’s authorization language.
All other items in the MAC Report were for information only. Except for R. Johnson (VT) and B. McPheron (PA), (both absent from the meeting), all other proposed advisors have accepted their new assignments.
R. Seem took the opportunity to pass around the NE-IPM reports, and he reminded the directors that in the next few weeks he will be sending out the request to submit nominations for the 2002 NE Multistate Research Award. It was decided to move this event from the winter to the summer meeting at CARET’s request. C. Hackney will be requested to include the award ceremony at one of the lunches at the summer meeting in Morgantown, WV.
OED Accomplishments Report – D. MacKenzie
D. MacKenzie’s report and PowerPoint presentation are posted at urls---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/oedaccomplishments.htm
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/OEDReportPowerPointMarch2002.htm
Instructions on how to complete SAES-422 is in the works. He will be collaborating with G. Cooper or G. Cunningham and will use exemplary SAES-422 reports as examples.
A publication entitled “How to State the Value of Your Research” will be out in the next few weeks. The publication will include a Video-CD of an excellent presentation given at a CGIAR conference. Other publications/CDs that are being made are on: How to work with Congress, Mission of LGUs, and How to state impacts of research. An IFAFS grantsmanship manual is being written in collaboration with J. Angle and Z. Helsel.
Concerns were expressed regarding the roles of the Board of Ag. and the ESCOP Budget Committee. It was felt that a lot of compromise has been made without consultation. The reorganization of BOA did not strengthen communication. In this regard, D. MacKenzie noted that the ESCOP committees will be reorganized to parallel those of the BOA with the intention to improve representation.
A motion was made to compliment D. MacKenzie and his staff for their accomplishments in 2001. The motion was passed and seconded.
NERA Proposed Budget for FY 2002-2003 – Chair
D. MacKenzie and R. Mize were requested to leave the room for the NERA budget discussion. On return, it was reported that a 3% merit increase for the salaries of the OED personnel was approved.
Future Meetings
Summer Meeting – C. Hackney
C. Hackney distributed information packets for the summer meeting that he will be hosting. He mentioned that CARET wants more involvement and interaction in the summer meetings. He suggested restructuring the program so that CARET can have a say in the research agenda. He also opened the discussion of inviting the 1890s in the Northeast – Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore, Delaware State Univ. and the West Virginia State University. The intention is to bring them in later on as members paying dues. A reduced rate was recommended. Another suggestion is to invite them as adjunct members in the first 2 years and then as full paying members. Whatever strategy is decided, the concern that 1862s are not integrated with the 1890s has to be addressed. Inviting them to the summer meeting will be a good step towards this. It was decided that Chair M. Mount will extend the invitation with a follow-up from the meeting host, C. Hackney. D. MacKenzie will inform Sam Donald before the invitations are sent out about our intention.
Fall Meeting – J. Angle
J. Angle distributed copies of the proposed agenda for the National ESS Meeting on Sept. to be held also in the Pier 5 Hotel. The overflow hotel will be the Brookshire Suites, which is Pier 5’s sister hotel.
The regional association meeting will be on Sept. 23, Monday, and first day of the conference, from 8am to 12nn. The theme of the Experiment Station Section (ESS) meeting is the Impacts and Benefits of Formula Fund.
Resolutions Committee Report – C. Hackney
Incoming Chair C. Hackney read the resolution of appreciation for Chair Mount. J. Hunter drafted the resolution as follows:
Resolution of Appreciation to Mark S. Mount
WHEREAS, Dr. Mark Mount distinguished himself as Associate Director of the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station since 1995, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mount has contributed in many ways to the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (NERA), including serving as Chair of the Association, Member of the Regional Research Committee, and Administrative Advisor for two Northeast Multistate Research Projects, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Mount has served as Co-Chair of the Committee for the Implementation of the Northeast Regional Priorities and as a member of numerous national and international organizations devoted to improving agriculture,
Now, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors meeting in Baltimore, MD on March 7, 2002, express sincere appreciation for Dr. Mount’s many contributions, and wish him great happiness in his retirement and success in his new adventures.
March 7, 2002
signed
Cameron Hackney, Chair
Northeastern Regional Association of State
Agricultural Experiment Station Directors
Chair Mount took the opportunity for an early retirement offered by his institution. His retirement is effective June 15th. Until then he will remain as NERA Chair and C. Hackney will take over after that. The directors expressed their gratitude and wished him well in his retirement. C. Hackney presented the plaque to Chair Mount.
The motion made to accept the above resolution was seconded and passed.
Videoconferencing Facilities Survey in the Northeast – R. Mize
R. Mize’s PowerPoint presentation is posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/VideoconferencingReportMarch2002.htm
In conclusion, all the 15 stations in the Northeast are capable of holding videoconference. A correction on the report is being added to include Vermont as one of the respondents to the survey. District of Columbia did not respond but G. Wyche-Moore reported that a videoconferencing facility is available at UDC.
Nominations Committee Report – M. Mount and J. Angle
The slate of incoming officers effective at the summer meeting are:
Chair – C. Hackney
Vice-Chair – W. Trumble
Officer-at-Large – J. Seemann
The motion to accept J. Seemann as the Officer-at-Large was seconded and passed.
Summary Comments and Closing – Chair
Chair Mount noted that it was an excellent meeting with a lot of thoughtful and fruitful discussion. He thanked everyone for their camaraderie and support since 1995 when he first join the MA-AES. He enjoyed every minute of this association and assured everyone that he will continue to enjoy every minute after June 15th.
Chair Mount adjourned the meeting at 11:40am.