Back to Workroom
NERA
Northeastern Regional Association
March 3-4, 2004
Minutes
William Trumble, Chair
MAJOR DECISIONS
THE JOB JAR
(Work Assignments for the Executive Director)
Call to Order – Chair
Chair Trumble called the meeting to order at 1:00pm.
Comments from the Members (States/stations Updates) - Chair
Chair Trumble requested each member to make a brief 4-minute update on current events and important issues in their home institutions.
L. Magnarelli reviewed the local arrangements for the Northeast Summer Joint Session to be hosted by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station on July 11-14, 2004, in Mystic, CT. He distributed a one-pager leaflet advertising the summer meeting.
Approval of Agenda and Consideration of the Meeting Minutes from Dearborn,
Michigan - Chair
A motion was made to approve the draft NERA agenda. It was seconded and passed.
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/NERAAgendaMarch2004.htm
The draft minutes as posted in this url was unanimously approved without revision. A motion was made, seconded and
passed.
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/NERA/workshop/NERAMinutesSept2003.html
Interim Actions by the Chair and Executive Committee Report – Chair
Chair Trumble enumerated his interim actions:
T. Fretz will meet with Chuck Laughlin in Georgia in early April to discuss the format and details of the Joint Session. Registration materials and information on hotel arrangements are being developed for distribution.
The Executive Committee met in the morning and Chair Trumble reported that they discussed the OED Report, a replacement for James Hunter as a member of the Resolutions Committee, and the need to increase/improve collaboration with NEED. The Executive Committee was informed that Extension voted not to assign representatives as advisors to multistate projects. This is contrary to the agreement reached at the March 2002 joint meeting in Baltimore, MD, where NEED and NERA approved the procedure for establishing the multistate project called NERECs. http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/NERAMinutesMarch2002.html
We need some direction on how to approach or work at improving collaboration with Extension. T. Fretz suggested that the directors talk to their Extension counterparts in their respective institutions and to try to build/repair the bridge from there.
D. Decker reported that collaboration in Cornell is good and they are building a CRIS-like system to report on integrated projects. Others reported that cooperation needs to be increased particularly those with Extension directors reporting to Provosts or directly to Presidents. Their perception of extension/continuing education may be quite different and hence, more work is needed to convince them to work together as one system.
The Executive Committee also discussed the NERA budget in detail. Recommendations will be given later when we get to that item in the agenda.
CSREES Update - Ralph Otto, CSREES
R. Otto distributed copies of the FY2005 Budget Request for CSREES and the
FY2005 President's Budget Proposal. He noted that the request addresses the restoration of the 10% that
was cut from selected CSREES
programs in FY2004. Increased funding for facilities and capacity building
for the 1890s and 1994s are also being requested. The President's budget
seeks to increase EFNEP and competitive grant funding. Also, there are modest increases proposed for Hatch, McIntire-Stennis,
Evans-Allen and Animal Health and Disease Sec. 1433.
He also noted the recent staff changes at CSREES. Alma Hobbs, the NERA liaison to CSREES and Deputy Administrator for Families, 4-H and Nutrition, left CSREES and joined the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) as Special Assistant for Outreach and Diversity. Mary McPhail Gray replaced Alma Hobbs. Anna Palmisano is another new addition to the CSREES family, as the Deputy Administrator for Competitive Programs.
ESCOP Report - Chair
Chair Trumble gave the ESCOP Report:
The different ESCOP subcommittees gave their reports (agenda briefs were included in the NERA meeting packet together with
the ESCOP Meeting agenda). Worth noting are the following:
Report from the Blue Ribbon Team (BRT)
- Fred H. Hutchinson, Fleishman-Hillard Government Relations
Fred Hutchison had just finished working with CARET on bringing their
message to legislators at the Hill. They carry just one simple request:
Increase in Formula Fund and a gradual increase of competitive
funds. Formula funds are difficult to sell because there really is no
champion in the Hill. Competitive grants have champions. For FY2005,
they took an honest look at the budget and narrowed the request on a few
pieces. There are three priorities for this year:
Due to the budget deficit, FY2004 was not a good year. The President's budget called for a 6% reduction for USDA from last year's level. BRT was able to get what they needed from the responses they got from the LGU system. He noted that this Call to Action or request for information will be limited to two a year.
K. Cooper thanked BRT for preparing CARET for their visit to the Hill.
There were comments regarding EFNEP's surplus. WIC has a surplus of about $120 million. Is there a way to use WIC fund instead of competing?
Update on USDA Agrosecurity Activities - William Hoffman, CSREES
Kitty Cardwell, who was scheduled to give the presentation, was traveling.
Bill Hoffman gave the report.
Multistate Activities Committee report distributed for consideration tomorrow - Bob Seem
The MAC Report was distributed to the members. It is also posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/MACReportMarch2004.html
Executive Director's Job Jar Report and OED Accomplishments Report - Tom Fretz
Copies of the Job Jar Report were included in the packet. It is also posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/JobJarMarch2004.htm
All the tasks were completed.
The OED Accomplishments Report was also included in the meeting packet and posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/OEDAccomplishmentsReportMarch2004.htm
T. Fretz highlighted some of the activities in the report. He noted that the Counterfactual Study will be rewritten in a less technical format and a full report given at the Sept.
ESS meeting.
The relevancy of the Land-Grant Mission has been getting scrutinized lately. Do we need to re-educate the leaders in our institutions about the LGU mission? Peter Magrath is convening a meeting to be attended by university presidents, members of BAA/PBD, the COPs and 1890s. There is an apparent lack of understanding of the Land-Grant mission. The meeting will attempt to identify the problems and recommend solutions. There are issues of reduced funding on the federal side. T. Fretz asked the members to send him their thoughts, ideas or comments regarding this meeting.
Some stations like MA are concerned that the experiment station is just a small fish in a big pond. Is it really worth going to the President of the university to convince him/her how important the land-grant mission is? On the other hand, bigger stations like NJ, becomes the "face" of the university. They are constantly in the eyes of the public.
R. Mize gave a brief demonstration of the new NIMSS' version that is scheduled to be rolled out in the summer. She will preview this new NIMSS at the CSREES Administrative Conference at Rhode Island in April. The directors suggested capturing the SYs in the graphics shown to summarize participation from all the regions. The adjustment will be made as suggested.
Discussion of Proposed NERA Budget for FY 2004-2005 - Chair
Chair Trumble commented that NERA is in very healthy fiscal status. He asked T. Fretz to give the background on the proposed NERA budget.
NERA will incur a savings of about $150,000 (the exact amount will be known after the close of the fiscal year in June 30, 2004). Majority of this saving came from the ED salary and benefits, accrued for 6 months, following the passing of D. R. MacKenzie. T. Fretz suggested creating a separate account for this fund for NERA's future use in case of an employee's illness or separation from service. It is good management practice to have a cushion and to be able to account for it. T. Fretz also recommended a 4% merit increase and the mandatory 1.5% COLA to the NERA staff: Rubie Mize and Judy Sun. Their last salary increase was in FY 01-02. The ED will get the mandatory 1.5% COLA and did not ask for a merit increase.
A motion was made to accept the proposal to set-up a separate account for NERA's savings for FY2003-2004, the 4.5% merit increase for Rubie Mize and Judy Sun, and the mandatory 1.5% COLA for all the NERA staff. This motion was seconded and passed.
Comments from Chair before closing the day's meeting - Chair
Chair Trumble reminded the members to review the MAC Report for discussions tomorrow. Dinner will be at Phillip's located
across the street from the Waterfront Centre, at 6:30pm.
Adjourn for the Day
The meeting adjourned at 5:00pm.
March 4, 2004 -- NERA business meeting continues
Chair Trumble resumed the business meeting at 8:00am.
T. Fretz had some additional reports to make. In the meeting packet, is a leaflet announcing the USDA-CSREES Northeast Regional Workshop on Competitive Funding Opportunities to be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Philadelphia, PA, on April 8-9. The Pennsylvania State University's Cooperative Extension is co-hosting this workshop.
There is also a conference sponsored by the Farm Foundation and USDA's Office of Energy Policy and New Uses entitled, "Agriculture as a Producer and Consumer of Energy". It will be held on June 24-25 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA.
T. Fretz also distributed a one-page report on the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development. A more detailed report will be mailed out to the directors.
G. Wyche-Moore gave a few remarks about the Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center (NRAC). The office was told to vacate its present premises at the University of Massachusetts. A search for a new home is in progress. She asked the stations especially those with strong aquaculture programs to consider giving NRAC a new home. The new NRAC home should be in a land-grant institution. She is working with Colien Hefferan in getting the memo out with the guidelines regarding site selection. It should be released soon.
Consideration of the Multistate Activities Committee Report - Robert Seem
MAC Chair R. Seem earlier distributed copies of the Report and Recommendations of the Multistate Activities Committee. The report is posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/MACReportMarch2004.html
MAC Chair Seem noted that the key criterion used by the committee for recommending approval of a proposal is the clear demonstration of interdependency and hence, the need for a multistate project. Some of the proposals have come from projects that have been going on for a long time. MAC recommended revising the regional guidelines to include an analysis of past objectives to show shift in direction. The committee would also like to address how impacts are reported and how a project has leveraged other funds.
L. Magnarelli asked if a response from the technical committee on the MAC comments for NE_temp841 is necessary. R. Seem replied that at this point MAC does not need a response but would like the technical committee to consider MAC's recommendations.
R. Seem sought approval for items #1-4. The motion made to approve items #1-4, was seconded and approved.
Items #5-8 are the NRSP proposals to replace NRSPs 1,4 and 7, and a new project on manure management. R. Seem was not asking for approval at this time. MAC completed the NRSP Review Form and will submit those, with their comments, to the NRSP Review Committee. Updates on the review of these proposals will be given at the summer meeting. The directors will be asked to vote at the ESS meeting in September.
NRSP_temp181 is the CRIS project. This is an important component in the management of formula fund for research. CRIS had undergone marked changes in the way the system is set-up to bring it up to speed with the development in technology. The server will be converted to Oracle and CRIS will continue to pursue data/system integration with NIMSS, REEIS and other systems for extension, research and education.
R. Seem distributed a one-page report on NRSP-7 (NRSP_temp243 is the proposal) from CSREES Rep. Larry Miller. This is the national Minor Use Animal Drug Program. It does not require off-the-top funding but wants to continue as a NRSP.
NRSP_temp281, "National Center for Manure and Animal Waste Management", is a new NRSP being proposed for funding. The proposal looks more like a policy development group, a paper center. Does it really satisfy the criteria for a NRSP? The center was originally funded under the Fund for Rural America. The concept has merit. This is why MAC recommends approval of this proposal. However, it wants the committee to be able to show that the NRSP off-the-top funding can be leveraged to attract other sources. MAC also strongly recommended keeping the original title, "National Center for Manure and Animal Waste Management". The revised version used the title, "National Initiative for Animal Environmental Stewardship". A comment was given that the original title clearly identified the subject of the proposal which is "manure". There should be "truth in advertising".
The NRSP Review Committee will be requested to share the reviews and to have executive summaries for the proposed NRSPs. These should be made available for the summer meeting.
Research Collaboration with the Department of Energy - Jim Fischer,
DOE-Office of Energy and Renewable Resources
J. Fischer gave a PowerPoint presentation. Copies were distributed to
the members. There is tremendous opportunity to partner with DOE. At
present, of the 1.4 billion DOE budget for research, only 3% goes to the LGUs.
What are the barriers for effective and efficient collaboration? The
Land-grant system is a valuable partner to DOE. DOE needs the LGUs'
capacity in research, extension and education.
Status of NRC Review - Charlotte Kuh, National Academy of Science -
National Research Council
C. Kuh gave a PowerPoint presentation. It is posted at url---http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/NASPowerPointMarch2004.html
Sun Grant Initiative Update - Larry Walker, Cornell
L. Walker reported that funding for the Sun Grant Initiative has been
authorized as part of the Omnibus Bill. The Sun Grant appropriations is
under the Department of Transportation. There will be $3 million annually
for the next six years that will be available for the Northeast.
Nationally, there will be $15 million per year. The Northeast Sun Grant
States are: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia. He passed around a
copy of the Sun Grant Northeast Roadmap which is also available on their website
at url---
http://www.nesungrant.cornell.edu
He invited the directors to attend or send representatives at the Northeast
Sun Grant Initiative Regional Planning Meeting on April 25-27, at the Adam's
Mark Hotel in Buffalo, New York. In this meeting, priorities will be
defined for the competitive grants program. What are the priorities in
research, outreach and education that will form the bases for the RFPs?
There was a query regarding a Steering Committee. An advisory committee is not planned at present, but two committees will be formed from the meeting: Themes and Activity, and Structure and Management.
L. Walker noted that there is a short window for preparation of the RFPs. The plan is to stick with the authorization language.
There was a question regarding indirect costs. This question was not answered and information will hopefully be available at the meeting in Buffalo.
Chair Trumble encouraged the directors to attend this important meeting.
IR-4/NRSP-4 Report: A National Agricultural Program to Clear Pest Control
Agents for Minor Uses - Bob Holm, IR-4 Executive Director
B. Holm distributed copies of his report. He highlighted the accomplishments in 2003. Canada had just recently partnered with NRSP-4 to establish their own
program.
Continuation of MAC Report - Robert Seem
MAC Chair Seem continued the MAC Report.
Item #9, request to write a proposal "Genetic Manipulation of Sweet Corn Quality and Stress Resistance (from NE124)", was recommended for denial. The committee should consider forming a Northeast Coordinating Committee (NEC-type project) instead, unless they could clearly demonstrate interdependency, and hence the need to work together as a multistate project.
Item #10, request to write a proposal "Hydropedology: Genesis, Properties, and Distribution of Hydromorphic Soils (from NEC1006)", was recommended for approval. This project has good prospect of finding other funding sources but need to work together first as a multistate project. It addresses some pressing issues in the Northeast relating to swamps and wetlands.
Item #11, request to write a proposal "Whole Farm Dairy and Beef Systems to Protect Environmental Quality (from NE132), was earlier approved and included in the report and minutes for record.
Item #12, NE183, "Multi-disciplinary Evaluation of New Apple Cultivars", was recommended for a one-year extension to allow the project to wind down and complete its objectives. The advisor does not foresee this project continuing as a multistate project beyond this extension.
Item #13, the Northeastern Corn Improvement Conference, was recommended to retain its old number NEC29, instead of the current NEC1008. The group has a long history of being identified as NEC29.
A motion was made to approve items #9-13. The motion was seconded and passed.
A motion was made to approve item #14, request for off-the-top funding for two Northeast multistate projects and six NRSPs. The MAC recommendation is to approve funding for FY2005 at the FY2004 level for all the requests. This motion was amended to vote on the requests individually after a brief explanation and discussion on their justifications were heard. This amendment was seconded and passed. Note that PA was not represented. Total votes were from 14 stations, (affirmative-opposed-abstention).
After the NRSP-4 presentation by Bob Holm, a motion was made to accept MAC's recommendation for NRSP-4. It was seconded, but there was discussion on the need to sunset NRSPs. Proposals should include a mechanism on how these projects will transition to self-sufficiency. For instance, the manure project is a good one but we could not finance it without giving up another. S. Goodwin suggested a major discussion on NRSPs to be included in the summer meeting agenda. NERA will then write a White Paper to ESCOP or the NRSP Review Committee expressing the concerns of the association regarding the NRSPs. Sunsetting the projects were included in the NRSP Report. However, steps on how to do this were not spelled out. New proposals should have a withdrawal policy before engagement. It should be noted though that host institutions have enormous support and commitment to these projects compared to the off-the-top contributions from the stations.
The motion to accept MAC's recommendation for NRSP-4 was approved (12-0-1). Please note that one voting member (CT-NH) had left the meeting at this point.
Item #15 is a list of new advisor assignments. This is for information only. The new assignees have been contacted and have agreed to serve in these projects.
Item #16: T. Fretz made a motion to seek approval on the proposal to make the
nomenclature for multistate projects uniform among all the regions. His
proposal is posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/Nomenclature.doc
The motion was seconded and approved.
On the NE Administrative Advisory Committees, there is agreement not to designate them as NERA subcommittees but to bring them back as multistate committees. There will be a need to revise the NERA Rules of Operation (last amended on March 2003). The proposed revision will be presented and discussed at the NERA summer meeting in CT.
On the Need for Impact and Future Research Needs Statements, T. Fretz suggested devising a format for reporting good impact statements. A review of the SAES-422 form in NIMSS will be done. There will also be a need to train Advisors on how to collect impact statements that can be useful for CSREES and the BRT.
NIAS Agrosecurity Update and Discussions - J.Scott Angle
Chair Trumble had earlier mentioned in his ESCOP Report, the status of NIAS.
Nominations Committee Report - Chair
There was only one appointment that needed to be filled. A motion was made to appoint Bob Seem to replace James Hunter in the Resolutions Committee. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
Chair Trumble thanked Bob Seem for taking on yet another assignment for NERA.
Resolutions Committee Report - Robert Seem
WHEREAS, Dr. James Hunter distinguished himself as Director of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station since 1990, and as Associate Dean for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell since 2000, and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hunter has contributed in many ways to the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (NERA), including serving as Chair of the Association, Chair of the Regional Research Committee (currently named Multistate Activities Committee), Chair of the Resolutions Committee, and Administrative Advisor for several Multistate Regional Projects, including NRSP-5, “National Program for Controlling Virus Diseases of Temperate Fruit Tree Crops”,
Now, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors meeting in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2004, express sincere appreciation for Dr. Hunter’s many contributions, and wish him much success and happiness in his future professional activities.
March 4, 2004
Signed
William Trumble, Chair
Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural
Experiment Station Directors
Future Meetings
Summary Comments and Closing – Chair Trumble
Chair Trumble thanked everyone for a fruitful discussion of issues. He invited the directors to contact OED if there
are topics they want included in the summer meeting agenda. He thanked T. Fretz for putting together a good agenda and inviting the presenters who shared useful
information with the members. T. Fretz and the members thanked the NERA staff for making all the meeting arrangements and for their work in NIMSS.
Chair Trumble wished everyone a safe journey home and adjourned the meeting at 2:20pm.