Report and Recommendations

 NORTHEAST MULTISTATE ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE MEETING

The Admiral Fell Inn - Board Room [5th Floor]
Historic Fell’s Point, 888 South Broadway, Baltimore MD 21231

March 24, 2008
1:00pm to 4:00pm

Chair, Bill Vinson (WV)

Members: Michael Vayda (VT), Tom Burr (NYG) and Karyn Malinowski (NEED-NJ)

  1. Nomination for the Multistate Research Award
    Announcement
    Description and Nomination Form
    There was no nomination submitted.  However, there should be one or two multistate projects in the Northeast that can be easily identified as good projects to nominate.  One would be NE1015 - Biological Improvement, Habitat Restoration, and Horticultural Development of Chestnut by Management of Populations, Pathogens, and Pests.  It has demonstrated highly successful collaboration among scientists and has significant industry involvement.  Further discussion is needed with the directors regarding the nomination process.  Other suggestions are welcome.   

  2. Review of MAC procedures - revisit NE1032 proposal that was returned by CSREES
    The criteria for reviewing proposals and the need to have a list of priorities were discussed.  

  3. Request to approve the proposal, NE_TEMP1422: Postharvest Biology of Fruits [NE1018], 10/2008-9/2013. Submitted by Brad Hillman (NJ).
    Action:  Although Objective 3 was deemed essential to the project, there was no clear indication that the expertise is available to address it.  MAC recommends returning the proposal for revision to limit it to the strengths of the members of the technical committee.  Otherwise an economist or a marketing research expert who can address objective 3 should be identified. 

  4. Request to approve the proposal, NE_TEMP1423: Biological Improvement of Chestnut through Technologies that Address Management of the Species, its Pathogens and Pests [NE1015], 10/2008-9/2013. Submitted by Michael Vayda (VT).
    Action:  Recommends approval.  For a project that had demonstrated strong collaboration, the technical committee could have provided more details on the section "Organization/Governance".

  5. Request to approve the proposal, NE_TEMP1441: Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources [NE009], 10/2008-9/2013. Submitted by Tom Burr (NYG).
    Action:  Recommends approval.  MAC suggests that the new project include a 5-year budget plan (similar to NRSPs) for the regional off-the-top funding, subject to annual approval by the NERA directors.

  6. Request to approve the proposal, NE_TEMP1442: Commercial Greenhouse Production: Component and System Development [NE1017], 10/2008-9/2013. Submitted by Ed Ashworth (ME).
    Action: Return for revision to clearly demonstrate interdependence and coordination of activities across states, and not merely a listing of activities by state.  Objectives 9, 10 and 11 also need more specifics on the methodology.

  7. Request to approve the proposal, NE_TEMP1461: Genetic Bases for Resistance and Immunity to Avian Diseases [NE1016], 10/2008-9/2013. Submitted by Kirklyn Kerr (CTS).
    Action:  Recommends approval.  MAC expressed concern that NRSP8 was not mentioned under section "Related Current and Previous Work".

  8. Request to approve a Request to Write a Proposal entitled, "Balancing Natural Resource Recreation Management, Human Well-Being, and Community Resilience", 10-2008 to 2013. Submitted by Ed Ashworth (ME).
    Action:  Recommends approval.  MAC advises that the committee be clear and specific on their focus when writing their full proposal.

  9. Request to approve a Request to Write a Proposal entitled, "Urban Landscape Assessment Of Ecological, Biological, Economic, Sociological, and Psychological Services", 10/2008-9/2013. Submitted by Bill Vinson (WV).
    Action:  Recommends approval.  MAC suggests that the committee consider writing the proposal for a coordinating committee. However, if the intention is to write a multistate project, interdependency should be well defined.  There should also be more specifics on the experts and how they will contribute to the project's objectives.

  10. Request to approve a Request to Write a Proposal entitled, "Northeastern Corn Improvement Conference (Renew of NEC 29)". 10/2008-9/2013. Submitted by Bob Goodman (NJ).
    Action:  Recommends approval.

  11. Review of NRSP Request for Extension and Proposals:  See recommendations for agenda item #12.

  12. Request for off-the-top funding for FY2009
    Summary of NRSP requests are posted at --- http://www.nera.umd.edu/March2008Meeting/OfftheTopFundingRequestFY2009.pdf
    Summary of NE-9 and NE-59 requests are posted at --- http://www.nera.umd.edu/March2008Meeting/FY2009NE9NE59Off-the-Top.pdf

  13. Advisor Assignments:  The directors will be asked to nominate or volunteer.

  14. Analysis of the Northeast Multistate Research Portfolio - Dan Rossi Action:  More detailed discussion with the directors on the need to have regional and national priorities, and the policy and process to sunset projects.  Based on the analyses - three concerns should be addressed- (1) engage Extension more, (2) require proposals to have detailed Outreach Plans and (3) promote use of the ERA (Multistate Research and Extension) structure for future projects.

  15. Proposed format for Appendix E to record Extension KAs [Knowledge Area] Action:  Recommends approval to adopt proposed format for Appendix E to capture the KAs (Knowledge Areas) for Extension participants.

  16. NIMSS Update - Dan Rossi and Rubie Mize
    A search was iniated at Rutgers last fall, but no one with Cold Fusion skills applied. Options are currently being discussed with the Maryland-AES to share a programmer.


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last updated March 24, 2008