• Approved the Minutes of the NERA Summer Meeting held at Princeton NJ, July 15, 2003, as posted at url ---
  http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/NERAMinutesJuly2003.html

• Accepted the Northeast Multistate Activities Committee Report and Recommendations posted at url ---
  http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/MACReportSept2003.html
  1. Deferred approval of the proposal, NE_temp621, “Multi-state Evaluation of Winegrape Cultivars and Clones” 10-2003 to 2017. Submitted by J. Hunter (NYG).
  2. Approved the request to write a proposal entitled, “Biophysical Models for Poultry Production Systems (formerly NE-127)” 10-2004-2009. Submitted by W. Vinson (WV).
  3. Approved the following advisor assignments:
     • NE187 - Best Management Practices for Turf Systems in the East, ends 9/2004, Richard Rhodes III, RI
     • NE1007 - Ovarian and Environmental Influences on Embryonic/Fetal Mortality in Ruminants, ends 9/2007, William Vinson, WV
     • NEC1000 - The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, ends 9/2006, Bruce McPheron, PA
     • NEREC1000 - Northeast Pasture Research and Extension Consortium, ends 9/2006, Bruce McPheron, PA

• Approved the following NERA appointments:
  • NERCRD Board Members: Steve Reiling (ME) and Thomas Fretz (NERA)
  • ESCOP Communication and Marketing Committee Members: Cameron Hackney (WV) and Rachel Johnson (VT)
  • ESCOP Partnership Committee Member: Robin Morgan (DE)
  • ESCOP Planning Committee Member: Robert Steele (PA)

• Inform USDA-CSREES on actions taken by the NERA Directors.
• T. Fretz to evaluate and recommend changes to the use and implementation of the NERA NEACC committees. Consider collaborations with the NC region. Restructure the discipline areas to better reflect the NE departmental composition in our departments. Reevaluate the concept of NEACC committees. Bring recommendations to the March meeting f or discussion.
• Develop the format for the Winter Program, March 9-10, 2004. (Note that this dates were subsequently changed to March 3-4, 2004.)

Stations Reports - All
A full set of notes from the station reports is available from the office of the ED. The report is also posted in the NERA homepage at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/NERAMeetingSept2003/StationsReport.htm

Review and Approval of the Minutes from the Summer Meeting - Chair
A motion was made to approve the Minutes of the NERA Summer Meeting held at Princeton, NJ, on July 15, 2003, as posted at url -----
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/NERAMinutesJuly2003.html
The motion was seconded and passed.

Interim Actions by the Chair and Executive Committee Report - Chair
Chair Hackney reported on his interim actions as follows:

1. Made the following appointments:
   • William Vinson (WV) and Keith Cooper (NJ) as new members of the Multistate Activities Committee
   • Keith Cooper (NJ) as the NERA representative to the NRSP Review Committee
   • Steve Goodwin (MA) as NERA representative to the Executive Board of the Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center (NRAC)
2. Authorized NERA-OED to make arrangements for the March meeting in Washington, DC. The meeting will be held on March 10-11, 2004, in conjunction with the CARET/AHS and ESCOP meetings, and the 7th Ag Exhibit in the Hill. (Please note that this meeting was subsequently moved to March 3-4. The BAAPBD, acting on the advise of the Blue Ribbon Team, decided to move the CARET/AHS meetings and the 7th Ag Exhibit in the Hill to an earlier date, the week of March 1, 2004.)

Executive Director's Job Jar Report - T. Fretz
The Job Jar actions since summer meeting were reviewed. T. Fretz distributed copies to the directors. The Job Jar Report is posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/JobJarSept2003.html

Multistate Activities Committee Report - R. Seem
R. Seem delivered the MAC Report. A motion was made to accept the Northeast Multistate Activities Committee Report and Recommendations posted at url---
http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/MACReportSept2003.html
The motion was seconded and passed.

Open Discussion

• Discussion of the ESS assessments and NIAS was led by J. Scott Angle. There was growing concern in the region with assessments and documentation of impact. The general feeling is that there is a lack of knowledge regarding these requests for impact and accomplishment requests from activities funded either from off-the-top funds or national assessments, and disregard for prior agreements and commitments.

• The proposed changes to the ESCOP Rules of Operation were reviewed. Voting will take place at the ESCOP business meeting in the afternoon.

• The process outlined for the development of impact statements for the BRT of the BAC was reviewed. T. Fretz reviewed the selection of projects that impact statements will be sought for, deadlines to be met, and the general format. The Administrative Advisors will be contacted directly.

• Reviewed the format and possible topics for discussion at the Winter Meeting, March 3-4, 2004, Washington DC.
  • Discussion of Off-the-Top Funding- There is continuing concern with NRSPs and their funding. Explanation is needed for the NRSP process for renewal and approval, now with the new guidelines in place and approved by ESS.
  • Experiment Station Finances - A panel of college fiscal directors will be asked to explain intricacies of budget, co-mingling of funds, reporting, and interpretation of federal guidelines.
  • NRC Evaluation of Doctoral Programs - Review of the National Academy's program for review of doctoral programs, current status, impact, how to report, test bed results, timeline for implementation of the survey. Consider asking Abe Eberle (WI) to participate and update on NRC and activities to date.
  • Expansion of Regional Programs - Discussion of how we increase the integration internally and with regional partnerships. How do individual intuition's proceed, how do we achieve full integration, what are the constraints? The findings from the Farm foundation Workshop from October 8-10, 2003, will be reviewed.
  • Schism between faculty - There was growing concern between faculty focused on either basic versus applied faculty and the mixed messages from central administration. Increasing view of applied scientists meeting the LGU mission and being considered as second class citizens when compared to basic scientists in similar disciplines. How do we bridge the gap? Market the value of applied research, integrated programs? How do we increase the integration of programs (D. Decker)

• Concerns were expressed over accommodations at the Channel Inn. Other options for accommodations will be pursued, possibly at the Loews L'Enfant Plaza.

Nominations Committee Report - Chair and J. S. Angle
The committee put forward their recommendations as follows:

• NERCRD Board Members: Steve Reiling (ME) and Thomas Fretz (NERA)
• ESCOP Communication and Marketing Committee Members: Cameron Hackney (WV) and Rahel Johnson (VT)
• ESCOP Partneship Committee Member: Robin Morgan (DE)
• ESCOP Planning Committee: Robert Steele (PA)

Resolutions Committee Report - J. Hunter

WHEREAS, Dr. J. Scott Angle served as Interim Executive Director of NERA from October, 2002 to September, 2003, and

WHEREAS, Dr. Angle admirably fulfilled this role while serving as Associate Director of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station and also Chair of ESCOP, and

WHEREAS, Dr. Angle facilitated a smooth transition from the previous Executive Director, Dr. David MacKenzie, to the new Executive Director, Dr. Thomas Fretz,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors' meeting in Dearborn, Michigan on September 22, 2003, express appreciation to Dr. Angle for his dedicated and exceptional service as Interim Director of NERA.

September 22, 2003

signed
Cameron Hackney, Chair
Northeastern Regional Association of State
Agricultural Experiment Station Directors

WHEREAS, Dr. Adesoji O. Adelaja served as Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station from October, 1999 to May, 2002 and as Executive Director of the Experiment Station and Executive Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Dean of Cook College from June, 2002 to September, 2003, and

WHEREAS, Dr. Adelaja served as a member of the Multi-State Activities Committee from March 2001 to March 2002, as administrator advisor for NEC1000, and contributed to NERA meetings on numerous occasions, and

WHEREAS Dr. Adelaja served on the Board of Directors of the Northeast Center for Rural Development Center for Rural Development for two years, and

WHEREAS, Dr. Adelaja served as a member and provided leadership to many committees and organizations at Rutgers University, New Jersey State government, and with industry, and thereby brought great credit to his profession and the Agricultural Experiment Station system,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors' Meeting in Dearborn, Michigan on September 22, 2003, express appreciation for Dr. Adelaja's outstanding leadership and numerous contributions, and wish him much success in his new role as a member of the faculty at Michigan State University.

September 22, 2003

signed
Cameron Hackney, Chair
Northeastern Regional Association of State
Agricultural Experiment Station Directors

WHEREAS, Dr. William E. Berndtson served as Associate Director of the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station from August, 2001 to September, 2003, and

WHEREAS, Dr. Berndtson participated regularly in NERA Meetings, and

WHEREAS, Dr. Berndtson served as Administrative Advisor for two Multi-State Projects from 2001 to 2003,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors' Meeting in Dearborn, Michigan on September 22, 2003, express appreciation to Dr. Berndtson for his contributions to the Agricultural Experiment Station system, and wish him much success and happiness as he resumes a full time faculty appointment in the Department of Animal and the Nutritional Sciences at the University of New Hampshire.

September 22, 2003

signed
Cameron Hackney, Chair
Northeastern Regional Association of State
Agricultural Experiment Station Directors

All resolutions were read and adopted unanimously.

Summary Comments and Closing - Chair
Chair Hackney provided closing comments and thanks for all the support from the membership over the past 20 months. He passed the gavel to B. Trumble (NH), and adjourned the meeting at noon.