Experiment Station Section Annual Meeting
September 25, 2006
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, NV

Agenda Item 1.0:  Approval of Agenda and Teleconference Minutes

Presenter: Al Parks

Approval of Agenda and September 28, 2005 Teleconference Minutes

Action Requested: Approval of agenda and minutes

Presenter: Steve Slack

Next Steps Include:

Action Requested: For Information Only.

Presenter: Terry Nipp

In early August 2006, the Senate confirmed President Bush's nomination of Rear Admiral Jay M. Cohen to serve as the new Undersecretary for DHS S&T, who formally served as the Chief of the Office of Naval Research. Within three weeks, the Admiral dismissed existing reorganization plans and received approval for a new organizational approach for S&T from the Secretary, which was presented to the Congress on September 10th. The NIAS ED has spoken with Admiral Cohen; the new organization and its implications for food and agricultural biosecurity science and education will be presented at the ESS meeting.

NIAS developed a working group to consider and respond to draft guidelines for managing "sensitive" research that have been developed by the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity. The Board has been tasked to develop criteria for categorizing "dual use" research, that is, research that could be utilized in developing terrorist weapons even though that is not the intent of the research efforts. In addition, the Board is developing recommendations for how that research would be managed and communicated to others. These NSABB guidelines could have far reaching and lasting impacts on how research is managed. The NIAS working group examined the potential implications of the NSABB guidelines and has submitted recommendations to the Board, significant impact on the management and control of communication about research projects.

The NSABB also has a working group on managing Select Agents. There have been discussions with the Board regarding the implications of their deliberations on handling hazardous non-select agents.

FBI/InfraGard

The FBI is taking an increasing lead role among the agencies in planning to respond to attacks on the agricultural and food system as a part of their counter-terrorism efforts. NIAS was invited to participate and present at an FBI InfraGard conference.

DOD AI Surveillance

The NIAS ED was asked to participate and present at an invitation-only workshop on Avian Influenza surveillance system hosted by the Department of Department of Defense, with a number of collaborating military and intelligence agencies.

AAC Animal Disposal

The NIAS ED was asked to participate in an invitation only animal industry workshop on the security implications of large scale animal carcass disposal, with FDA and EPA personnel.

FASCC

NIAS is an auxiliary member of the DHS Food and Agriculture Coordinating Council (FASCC), which links DHS to the private food and agriculture sector. The NIAS ED recently participated in recent FASCC meetings and will be participating in upcoming table-top simulations.

NBAF

The current status of the competitive award process to select a new "National Bio and Agro-Defense facility to replace and augment many of the functions of Plum Island will be reported.

Action Requested: For Information only.

Presenter: Thomas Dorr, USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development & Chair of the USDA Energy Council

Dorr reported that the USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver quality programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in home ownership, business development, and critical community and technology infrastructure.

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: Colien Hefferan

Background Information:

Hefferan provide an update on CSREES activities, some of which is included in the following information from the CSREES Update of October 4, 2006:

Ila Blue joins CSREES as our new director for the Office of Peer Review. Blue began her career as the supervisor of revenue for the Washington Convention Center and joined the Department of Justice (DOJ) as a financial analyst responsible for reviewing and approving DOJ budgets for numerous grant programs. She worked as a program manager for the Executive Office of Weed and Seed and the Office on Violence Against Woman, and worked on various national criminal justice programs that address domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. She managed nonprofit organizations, state, local, and tribal government grants, and worked with national organizations in an effort to provide multi-disciplinary technical assistance across the nation to address domestic violence. Blue was responsible for leading the DOJ competitive peer review process for the last 4 years for multiple grant programs.

The Iraq Agricultural Extension Revitalization (IAER) project focuses on strengthening Iraqi agriculture by revitalizing that country's extension and educational training capacity. The project will foster a healthy agricultural sector that contributes to national stability by rebuilding the skills of Iraqi extension experts to better serve the needs of farmers, processors, and marketers. The project will provide Iraqi nationals from universities and the Ministry of Agriculture with extension management, production, and marketing training. These training programs will be held in the United States and third countries, and implemented through partnerships between a consortium of U.S. land-grant institutions and Iraqi agricultural universities. The USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service and the Foreign Agricultural Service jointly offer the project with funding from the U.S. Department of State. Application deadline is November 8, 2006. Go to the CSREES Funding Opportunities Web site for additional information.

The National Research Initiative (NRI) Request for Applications is now available on the CSREES Web site. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2007, NRI is accepting applications only through electronic submission using Grants.gov. Other important changes include a strict adherence to formatting, submission dates, and budget guidelines. Applications that do not meet these guidelines will be returned without review.

USDA Announces Four Grants for Youth Farm Safety Education

These grants focus on reaching underserved and/or minority youth. The grants will also promote use of the North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks, a resource to assist parents in assigning farm jobs to their children. Recently developed curriculum from previous years' grants is available at http://www.agsafety4youth.info. The grants are administered through CSREES. Visit the CSREES Newsroom to read the full release and to view the 2006 awardees' list.

Deputy Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner announced the award of 32 grants totaling $4.6 million to community organizations to help low-income Americans eat healthfully.

Johanns Announces $7.8 Million in Extension Funds to Revitalize Iraq 's Agriculture

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced that USDA is requesting proposals from U.S. land-grant institutions to strengthen agricultural extension and training at Iraqi agricultural universities. Johanns also said USDA is providing staff as needed in Iraq and is working to develop agricultural credit training there.

The Iraq Agricultural Extension Revitalization Project (IAER) will provide extension training programs for Iraqi nationals. The training will enhance agricultural management, production, and marketing related to small- and medium-sized production enterprises. The effort was launched on August 1, when Johanns and Iraq 's Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Salamm Zukam Ali Al-Zawba'i signed a joint statement of intent in Baghdad. Partnerships between U.S. land-grant universities and Iraqi agricultural universities in each of five governorates of Iraq will provide the training. The goal is to build strong institution-to-institution partnerships to link American expertise in extension training and advisory services with agricultural colleges in Iraq and with Ministry of Agriculture personnel. Visit the CSREES Newsroom to read the full release.

Avian Influenza Update

* Joint USDA and DOI News Release: Avian Influenza Tests Complete On Wild Mallard Ducks In Pennsylvania

USDA Expands the National Poultry Improvement Program

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and USDA announced an updated list of distinguished speakers, including President George W. Bush (invited guest), for their jointly hosted conference Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance. The conference aims to get the best minds together - key stakeholders in biofuels, wind, and solar energy - to discuss and ultimately help accelerate the research, development, and deployment of alternative energy sources, the crux of President Bush's Advanced Energy Initiative. The conference is October 10-12 at America 's Center in St. Louis , MO. Go to the USDA Newsroom Web site to read the full release. Visit the Conference Web site to register and for additional conference information.

Partners

NACDEP Becomes a Member Organization of JCEP

In August 2006, the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) joined the Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP). NACDEP is dedicated to improving the visibility, coordination, professional status, and resource base of community and economic development extension programs and professionals. JCEP is a partnership of extension professional organizations focused on strengthening the efforts of the member organizations and doing what each cannot do effectively alone. Together, JCEP and NACDEP will strengthen communication and collaboration among community and economic development extension professionals and across the Cooperative Extension System. For more information, visit the NACDEP Web site, or contact Sally Maggard, CSREES national program leader, Economic and Community Systems.

NCRCRD Sponsors Developing Successful Community Initiatives Workshop

The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) is sponsoring Developing Successful Community Initiatives, a "train-the-trainer" workshop focused on using community development processes to achieve measurable impacts. This is the second component of the Foundations of Practice, a curriculum that provides extension professionals a common language and understanding of community development work. After completing the workshop, state extension teams will be able to conduct in-service training on five general sets of process skills with other extension staff in their respective states. To learn more about the workshop, visit the NCRCRD Web site, or contact Sally Maggard CSREES national program leader, Economic and Community Systems.

Southern Growth Policies Board Releases 2006 Report

Innovations with a Southern Accent Report was released at the Southern Innovation Summit in June 2006. The report focuses on creating a southern culture of knowledge, where learning and innovation are primary social values, essential to the region's global competitiveness. The report's recommendations include strategies for building the innovation capacity in the South through the creation, accumulation, and application of knowledge. The report also includes regional and state-level data on educational attainment and venture capital as well as an overview of state policies on research and development and profiles of innovative programs. To view the report visit the Southern Growth Policies Board Web site . Contact Sally Maggard, CSREES national program leader, Economic and Community Systems.

Opportunities

The Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Conference 2007

The CSREES Children, Youth and Families at Risk Conference, CYFAR 2007, will be May 2-4 at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. The pre-conference begins May 1. The CYFAR 2007 conference committee announced a Call for Proposals for workshops, computer labs, poster sessions, and Program Showcase exhibits. Read the Call for Proposals announcement for more information. Proposals must be submitted online by November 1, 2006.

Community Capitals Framework Institute Call for Papers

The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development will hold the Third Annual Community Capitals Framework Institute in Ames , IA , November 20 - December 1, 2006. This institute Linking Theory and Practice: A Systems Perspective will feature current scholarly work and practice using the Community Capitals Framework (CCF). People using the CCF in community outreach and/or research are encouraged to attend the institute. The program will provide opportunities for participants to present and discuss their work. If you would like to present your work at the Institute, please send your contact information and a 500-word abstract to Mary Emery, memery@iastate.edu, by October 13, 2006. Papers are due November 3rd. For more information, visit the Community Capitals Framework Institute Web site or contact Sally Maggard, CSREES national program leader, Economic and Community Systems.

Third Annual Tri-State Diversity Conference 2007

The Third Annual Tri-State Diversity Conference, hosted by Kentucky State University, University of Kentucky, Purdue University, and The Ohio State University, will be held January 11-12, 2007, in Covington, KY. The conference features regional and national experts, resources, and curriculum related to ethnic and cultural aspects of our communities. Dorothy Freeman, UM Extension Center for 4-H Youth Development, University of Minnesota, will be the keynote speaker. Visit the Purdue Web site for more conference information.

Third International IFAS Conference on Nanotechnology

The Third International IFAS Conference on Nanotechnology, hosted by Michigan State University, will be held April 2-4, 2007, at the East Lansing Marriott at University Place, East Lansing, MI. The conference will bring together those at the cutting edge of new technologies to share the science behind them. The conference will address scientific and engineering challenges and opportunities as well as the social, ethical, legal, environmental, and economic issues implicit in all new technologies. Visit the What is Nanotechnology? Web site for more conference information.

Awards and Recognition

Secretary Johanns Praises EDEN

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns in recent speeches praised the efforts of the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN). The following is an excerpt from remarks by Johanns to the International Symposium on Agro-terrorism, in Kansas City, MO.

"Now ladies and gentlemen, equally as important as preparing for a possible threat to the food supply is ensuring that we have the ability to quickly provide accurate information to the public in the event of an incident. And this brings us to the fifth part of the strategy which I believe is enormously important, and that's outreach communications.

"The Extension Disaster Education Network, or EDEN as we commonly refer to it, links our land grant universities all across this country and enables them to better communicate potential risks and mitigation strategies to the public.

"Through this network specialists share education and research programs that are designed to reduce the impact of natural and man-made disasters. It creates a national database of relevant information. "

Congratulations on this national recognition. Visit the USDA Newsroom Web site to read the full transcript.

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: Ian Maw

Background Information:

Maw provided the following update on NASULGC activities and indicated that it is a time of change at NASULGC:

1. Changes

Dr. David Shulenberg - Vice President of Academic Affairs

Howard Gobstein - Vice President of Science and Policy

Jennifer Poulakidas - Vice President of Congressional Affairs

Kerry Bolognese - Vice President of International Programs

Mortimer H. Neufville - Executive Vice President

Rebecca Sullivan - Director of Public Affairs

Joyce Payne - Director of Student Affairs and OAPBC

Ian Maw - Vice President of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources

3. Academic Summit - NAS Leadership Summit - Effecting Change in Undergraduate Education - October 3-5, 2006 Academy of Sciences facilities

4. BAC - Advocacy Agent - October 2, 2006 interviews by BAA PBD

5. GCHERA Conference - Marcy 5-8, 2007 in Costa Rico - 5^th Global Conference

Action Requested: For Information only.

Presenter: Anna Palmisano

Background Information:

Click here for the NRI Program PowerPoint

Presenter: Lee Sommers and Mike Harrington

Background Information:

The NRSP Review Committee met via conference call on May 26, 2006
Attendance: Lee Sommers, Marshall Martin, Larry Miller, Don Latham, Keith Cooper, Craig Nessler, Mike Harrington, Tom Fretz, Eric Young, James Wade.

Budget Requests:

A. NRSP1; Fretz commented that $32,500 of the cost of managing NIMSS is now included in the NRSP1 budget. However, the actual cost of NIMSS is $50,000 and the difference is absorbed by NERA. However, the NERA directors suggested that the NRSP1 budget be held at the FY06 level ($306,916). There will likely be a request next year for the NRSP1 budget to absorb the total cost of NIMSS. Martin moved and Latham seconded a motion to accept the budget request for NRSP1 at $315,524. The motion passed unanimously.

B. NRSP3; Cooper moved and Miller seconded a motion to accept the budget request for NRSP3 at $72,000. The motion passed unanimously.

C. NRSP4; Fretz and Cooper reported that the NERA suggestion of funding at $431,182 was to encourage funding from other sources than off-the-top.

Sommers commented that the NRSP Review Committee had agreed to keep NRSP4 and NRSP8 funds constant for the duration of their current projects. Nessler moved and Cooper seconded a motion to accept the budget request for NRSP4 at $481,182. The motion passed unanimously.

D. NRSP5; Cooper moved and Martin seconded a motion to accept the budget request for NRSP5 at $96,000. The motion passed unanimously.

E. NRSP6; There was discussion on the logic of funding an NRSP on potato germplasm when each of the regions has a regional trust to support plant genetic conservation. Miller moved and Cooper seconded a motion to accept the budget request for NRSP at $110,000. The motion passed unanimously.

F. NRSP7; No off-the-top funding is requested for NRSP7, thus no action was necessary.

G. NRSP8; Nessler moved and Cooper seconded a motion to accept the budget request for NRSP at $400,000. The motion passed unanimously.

Sommers reported that, with the reductions in off-the-top funding for the established NRSPs over the past three years, there has been a release of off-the- top funding of approximately $200,000 that could be used to start new NRSPs. This review process was established as a means to sunset off-the-top funding for some of the NRSPs and create a pool of funds that could be used to initiate one or more new NRSPs to address emerging issues.

Possible NRSP projects suggested included an NRSP4-like project on transgenic crops, a crop genome project similar to NRSP8, and a project related to ESCOP communication/marketing activities. Latham asked whether there is a program similar to NRSP8 for plants.

It was suggested that the possible NRSP project topics be a discussion item at the regional association summer meetings and also at the ESCOP annual fall meeting.

Click here for the NRSP Review Committee Recommendations for FY07

Action Requested: Final Association recommendations on NRSP budgets

Presenter: Colin Kaltenbach

Background Information:

ESCOP appointed a special task force AES Directors and EDs to work with representatives from CSREES to develop a draft plan which could be used to implement the President's budget proposal for a competitive multistate program. In addition there was a larger group of AES Directors (2 from each region, and the regional EDs that were used as a "sounding board". The executive group (Hatch Working Group) met twice in person and numerous times by teleconference and also communicated via email. Communications to the larger ESCOP group were provided via email updates and two conference calls were held to seek input.

Throughout the process it was stressed that ESCOP did not support the President's Budget nor did it support the distribution of Hatch any funds in a competitive manner.

Multistate Task Force Members
Co-Chairs Larry Miller, Associate Administrator, Colin Kaltenbach (AZ)

CSREES:
Mark Bailey, NPL, Thomas Bewick, NPL, Franklin E. Boteler, Deputy Administrator, Dennis Kopp, Assistant Administrator, Liaison (from/to the Mc-Stennis Working Group), Winston Sherman, Office of Extramural Programs, Susan Welsh, NPL

ESCOP:
ARD: Carolyn Brooks (UMES-MD), Alton Thompson (NCA&T-NC) Sam Donald (ED)
NE: Bruce McPheron (PA), Richard Rhodes (RI), Tom Fretz (ED)
NC: Steve Slack (OH), Tom Payne (MO), Marshall Martin-alternate (IN) Daryl Lund (ED)
SAAESD: Greg Weideman (AR), Nancy Cox (KY), Eric Young(ED)
WAAESD: Colin Kaltenbach (AZ), Ron Pardini (NV), Mike Harrington (ED)

Bold denotes Hatch Implementation Team members

Background:
Discussions began with a review of all pertinent documents relating to the current multistate program, the Science Roadmap, and CSREES Strategic Plan as well as the current review practices in the multistate program. There was also agreement with a set of principles:

The working group developed two documents-a "Program Framework" that described and outlined the basics of the proposed program and a draft of a formal RFA that can be forwarded through the necessary legal steps within USDA for any competitive grants program. These documents were combined and are currently residing on the CSREES web site where they will remain for comment until such time as Congress determines that there will be a competitive Multi-State program.

Even though it is very doubtful that the FY 07 budget will have a competitive grants aspect for current Hatch funding there are current recommendations by the CREATE 21 Committee that includes a competitive program for "new" Hatch dollars. The program developed by the working group and adopted by the 15 member committee could form the basis of a competitive program for the "new" dollars.

General Features
Complete details of the program and a draft RFA can be obtain from CSREES.

Types of Hatch MRF Projects

• Multi-State Research Projects: Research activity which involves cooperative, jointly planned research employing multidisciplinary approaches in which a SAES, cooperates with other SAESs, the ARS, a college or university, the Cooperative Extension System or the private sector to solve problems that concern more than one state and usually more than one region. These projects have a time limit of not to exceed 5 years.

• Rapid Response Projects: This type of research activity provides a mechanism to assure responsiveness to acute crises, emergencies, and opportunities using the multi-state research approach. Activities may range from formally organized research on targeted objectives to very informal research coordination or information exchange activity, depending on the circumstances. The projects are not to exceed two years. Rapid Response Project proposals will be reviewed through an expedited process enabling their submission at any time and requiring approval by the SAES directors and CSREES leadership.

• Research Support Projects: This type of research support activity focuses on the development of enabling technologies , support activities (such as collecting, assembling, storing and distributing materials, resources and information) or the sharing of facilities needed to accomplish high priority research, but which is not of itself, primarily research. As the need may arise, other types of projects may be funded based upon the recommendations of the Review Board.

Allocating Hatch Multi-State Research Funds:
Final allocation of the Hatch MRF to the various SAESs will be recommended by the CSREES/SAES MRF Administrative Review Board (ARB). The ARB will be composed of eight (8) members.

• Stakeholders Representation:The Committee on Agriculture Research Extension and Teaching (CARET) shall appoint two representatives.

The ARB will respect the rank ordering of proposals by the peer panels in fulfilling the responsibilities below:

Project Management:
Once a project is approved for funding by the CSREES Administrator, an administrative advisor (AA) and a CSREES National Program Leader (NPL) will be formally assigned to the project. Annual progress reports will be submitted to the Current Research Information System (CRIS) or other reporting system as may be specified in accordance with appropriate schedules and reporting specifications as published in the relevant RFA and/or the Hatch MRF Allocation Terms and Conditions. In addition, reports of annual meetings shall also be reported using the format included in the relevant RFA and/or the appropriate Allocation Terms and Conditions.

Post Award Project Management:
Experiment Station Directors will be allowed flexibility to expend funds within an approved project for different purposes (e.g., salaries, infrastructure, graduate assistants, etc.) and to adjust funds between competitively approved projects primarily due to changes in participation (e.g., a change in scientists at a station, additions to a project, etc.) and to accommodate unique matching requirements.

Adjustments to participants to existing projects will require review by the existing multi-state committee and the approval of the Director of that SAES in which the new (or departing) participant resides. If Hatch MRF allocations need to be adjusted for the affected SAES, CSREES concurrence will be required. If such adjustments are required, those adjustments will be made in the following fiscal year allocation as recommended by the Review Board.

Other Program Criteria:
Criteria for identifying and handling conflicts of interests, and confidentiality issues will be published in the relevant RFA.

Action Requested: Information Only.

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: Nancy Cox

Background Information:

The Board On Agriculture Assembly's Policy Board Of Directors met in Portland, OR on July 24 in conjunction with the Joint COPs meeting. The following Board members and support staff attended:

Kirklyn M. Kerr, Chair (AHS, CT)
Fred A. Cholick, Chair Elect (AHS, KS)
Mary L. Albrecht (ACOP, TN)
Nancy M. Cox (ESCOP, KY)
John R. Vreyens (ICOP, MN)
Alton Thompson (1890s, NC)
Ian L. Maw (ACOP, NASULGC)
Jon F. Ort (ECOP, NC)
James C. Wade (ECOP, NASULGC)
Kerry Bolognese (ICOP, NASULGC)
Eddie G. Gouge (NASULGC)
Colien Hefferan (CSREES)
Eric Young (ESCOP, SAAESD)
John Phillips (1994s, AIHEC)
Gary L. Minish (Non-LGU)
Meg Goetz (1994s, AIHEC)
Robert Steele (BAC Chair, PA)

Key discussion items included:

1. CSREES Report - Colien Hefferan

2. Farm Bill - Nancy Cox

3. CARET Report - Kirklyn Kerr

4. Food System Leadership Institute - Alton Thompson

5. Academic Leadership Summit - Mary Albrecht and Ian Maw

6. CREATE-21 - Fred Cholick

7. Budget and Advocacy Committee - Robert Steele

8. Assessments - Kirklyn Kerr

9. Dean and Directors Orientation - James Wade

10. Agricultural Research and Education Exhibition on Capitol Hill - Eddie Gouge

11. NASULGC/DOE Partnership - Ian Maw

12. Policy Board of Directors Election Process - Eddie Gouge

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: Lee Sommers

Background Information:

Following a series of conference calls, the NPGCC met face-to-face on June 2 in Ames, Iowa in conjunction with the Plant Genetic Resources Conference. The NPGCC chose to focus the June 2 meeting on the following tasks, 1) the development of the agenda for the upcoming Experiment Station Section (ESS) meetings, September 24-27 in Lake Tahoe, NV, 2) recommendations for the enhancement and improvement, and in particular, the development of new funding models for the 4 regional trust accounts and NRSP 6, and 3) how to broaden participation in the NPGCC with industry.

Drs. Peter Bretting (ARS) and Ann Marie Thro (CSREES) presented overviews of their respective agency commitments and programs in Pant Genetic Resources. Dr. Randy Woodson, chair of the Peer Assessment of 5-Year Performance of ARS National Program 301: Plant, Microbial and Insect Genetic Resources, Genomics and Genetic Improvement presented an overview and findings from the review. (For those with interest, PowerPoint presentations of each of the above presentations can be found on the NERA website @ http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/ ).

Recommendations and Actions Requested:

1. The NPGCC recommends that ESCOP support the recommendations in the Retrospective Review of ARS National Program 301 and send a letter of endorsement to the Administrator of ARS. Issues that we would encourage specific endorsement of and that impact the Experiment Station system and our faculty, include the following:

a. The NPGCC supports the recommendation that ARS develop a strategic plan for the Nation's germplasm collections that address customer needs. The NPGCC recommends that the development of any strategic plan for the Nation's plant germplasm collections be done in collaboration with the SAES's. Improved communication between ARS, CSREES and the SAES's is critical to the development of any strategic plan that will address these collections, their development, utilization and conservation in the future.

b. The NPGCC supports the recommendation that came forth in the Retrospective Review of ARS Program Area 301 that ARS assume a greater leadership strategy to safeguard the plant, microbe and insect collections.

c. The NPGCC endorses the recommendation from the retrospective report that ARS with its partners, CSREES and the SAES's develop and implement a strategy for conserving critical germplasm and genomic collections. Decisions made regarding specific germplasm and genomic collections should be made in collaboration with the SAES's. This may require the establishment of a new joint committee or task force that focuses its full effort on this matter.

d. The NPGCC supports the recommendation that ARS with its partners works toward a replacement for the GRIN system to ensure compatibility with other emerging genetic databases, and takes into account the needs for the users of the Plant Germplasm system. We recommend that ARS establish a timetable and a task force to begin to evaluate the process of replacing the GRIN system with a more contemporary model.

3. The NPGS is critically important to both the US and World Agriculture. The SAES contribution to the system is critical, but minimal in the overall scheme, yet public sector scientists, primarily within the Land Grant University's, are the largest single user of the materials in the collections (28% of the annual requests for germplasm come from the public sector). While we find that the present system of funding for the 4 regional Germplasm centers via the regional trust accounts, and the use of NRSP off-the-top funding for NRSP-6 unusual, we believe that it is appropriate. In fact we suggest that the directors reconsider their present stance on reducing the funding for NRSP-6. After searching for an alternative to the present funding mechanism, the NPGCC would suggest that we retain the present system that recognizes the commitment of each region to one of the national plant germplasm centers, and the system as a whole to the NRSP-6. If an alternative is to be considered, the NPGCC would offer the following:

a. Development of a formulaic mechanism for funding the 4 regional centers and NRSP with a single annual off-the-top commitment. We would propose a system, yet to be determined, that would have two components, similar in fashion to the assessment that is used to support the Executive Directors offices in each of the regional research associations. That is, an equal dollar commitment from each station coupled with a percentage commitment based on the Hatch distribution. Details will need to be determined and a plan full developed. If the directors wish to consider such a proposal they should make their wishes known. This would also require that the 4 regional Germplasm centers plus NRSP-6 develop a unified 5-year budget for submission and consideration.

4. The NPGCC recommends that the NRI enhance and/or increase opportunities to accelerate research on the utilization of materials in the NPGS collections. This should translate to increased funding for genetic characterization and applied genomics for crop improvement.

Action Requested: Information only

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: Eric Young

Background Information:

All references to the RPA (Research Problem Area) in NIMSS have been changed to KA (Knowledge Area). There are five new KA categories that were not included in the old RPAs.

The following new KA codes have been added into the NIMSS database:

o 136 Conservation of Biological Diversity;
o 141 Air Resource Protection and Management;
o 704 Nutrition and Hunger in the Population;
o 724 Healthy Lifestyle; and
o 806 Youth Development

The NRSP-1 technical committee met on June 2 in Washington, DC. The four regional Administrative Advisors, Dennis Unglesbee and Michel Desbois from CSREES, Dr. Tom Fretz and Rubie Mize, attended. The minutes are posted in NIMSS as part of the NRSP-1 annual report. The highlights are---

The NIMSS Oversight Committee met by teleconference on August 22. The Committee discussed the proposal to increase the annual support to NIMSS through NRSP-1, from $32,500 to $50,000. This increase will allow the budget to cover the full cost of maintaining and improving the NIMSS system, including a dedicated part-time programmer. The committee unanimously approved the proposal, which will be submitted with next year's NRSP-1 off-the-top budget request for FY2007 -2008. See attached proposal.

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: Daryl Lund

Background Information:

Click here for the revised wording the regional associations have agreed to for the following items:

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: Lee Sommers

Background Information:

Funding amounts approved - ballot results in parenthesis

NRSP3, $72,000 (45 for, 3 against)

NRSP4, $481,182 (47 for, 1 against)

NRSP5, $96,000 (22 for, 26 against)

NRSP6, $110,000 (38 for, 10 against)

NRSP8, $400,000 (46 for, 2 against)

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: All NRSP Off-the-Top funding requests approved as recommended by National NRSP Review Committee

Presenter: Tim Sanders

Background:

Sanders made a presentation on the activities of Cornerstone Governmental Affairs on behalf of the system. Click here for PowerPoint file.

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: LeRoy Daugherty and Daryl Lund

Background Information:

FY 07 Budget

The House has completed action on the Ag Appropriations Bill. Of the 20 lines in the BAC priorities list that fund our programs of interest in CSREES, 18 saw increases. Significant dollar increases occurred for Hatch $6.3M; Smith-Lever $8.4M; and NRI $8M. Total increases in CSREES for the BAC priorities are about $28.4M. Insular Affairs and Hispanic serving institutions saw some much needed increases.

The Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for FY 2007 was reported out of full committee on June 22, 2006. The bill will be heard on the Senate floor at the end of June. The subcommittee allocation is approximately $388 million above House allocation. The budget action is posted on the following website: http://www.nasulgc-bac.com/

FY2007 will more than likely not be finalized until post election. With the Senate adding $4 billion for Ag related disaster funding last week it complicates things greatly and increases the chance that Agricultural Appropriations will be enacted post election, both for budgetary as well as political concerns.

***This is a follow up to information provided below on Senate Committee action on the FY 2007 appropriation for CSREES.

Included on pages 18 and 19 of Senate Report 109-266, in the section for the Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, is the following language:

"Special Research, Education, and Extension Activities. --The Committee is aware of the need for special research, education, and extension activities which are made available on a discretionary basis under 7 U.S.C 450i(c) and similar authorities. These grants are necessary in order to conduct research to facilitate or expand promising breakthroughs in areas of food and agricultural sciences and to ensure that these activities are further assimilated into the food, agriculture, and rural sectors through higher education and extension programs. The Committee also believes that research, education, and extension activity funds made available on a discretionary basis should be sustained by additional funding from competitively-based or private ongoing sources.

The Committee expects that specially awarded grants should be used to meet specific research, education, and extension objectives rather that primarily to supplement other funding sources on an indefinite basis, The Committee expects that prior to the receipt of an award under 7 U.S.C. 450i(c), or grants made under the Research and Education or Extension Service Federal Administration headings of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, the grantee must provide a report to the Committee that describes the specific objectives for which these funds will be used, methodologies to measure performance and determine when the objectives will be met, and the expected date of completion for the stated objective. If the report fails to identify a specific date for project completion, the Committee shall assume the objectives will be complete by the end of fiscal year 2007.

The Committee has, in the past, continued funding special research grants [SRGs], in excess of the 3-year time period contemplated in the authorizing statute (7 U.S.C 450i(c)). The Committee is concerned that this has lead to stagnation in research. Additionally, the Committee believes that without regular turnover of discretionary research, the ability to facilitate or expand promising breakthroughs in areas of the food and agricultural sciences of importance to the United States is compromised. Therefore, the Committee beginning in fiscal year 2008, will no longer fund SRGs for more than 3 years."

FY 08 Budget

FY 09 Budget

ESS will have a breakout session at the SAES/ARD workshop to review, modify and establish FY 09 budget priorities.

Action Requested: For information only.

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: Jerry Arkin

Background Information:

The ESCOP Communication and Marketing Committee has continued to meet throughout the year, most recently in a face-to-face meeting May 23, in Washington DC. The committee is buoyed by its successes, e.g., the Formula for Success bulletin that has been used so successfully by CARET and was highlighted at the Ag Science on the Hill Exhibit in 2005 and 2006, by continued efforts to focus attention on the improvement and efficient use of the impact statements as marketing tools, and in its efforts to assist with the identification of hot topics for development into impact statements. The ESCOP Communication and Marketing Committee has also sought to convey its thoughts and recommendations both to the AHS and to NASULGC regarding the Ag. Science on the Hill Exhibit in an effort to see the event have a greater impact.

Several suggestions regarding the Ag. Science on the Hill Exhibit were conveyed by memo from Dr. Arkin to ESCOP Chairman Parks, June 13, 2006. In addition, two white papers have been developed and are attached to the recommendations below.

Actions Taken:

1. The ESCOP Communication and Marketing Committee has communicated it concerns regarding the Ag. Science on the Hill Exhibitto BAA Chair Kirklyn Kerr in a letter from ESCOP Chair Alfred Parks dated August 15, 2006. Subsequently, Nancy Cox, Eric Young and T. Fretz have visited with 2007 chair of the Ag. Science on the Hill Exhibits, Dr. John Kelly (Clemson) to reiterate our concerns.

2. The ESCOP Communication and Marketing Committee has recommended the development of a Strategic Communication and Marketing Plan. We solicit an endorsement from ESCOP along with a request for $10K to assist with the initial planning activities and the development of a full proposal. The ESCOP Communication and Marketing Committee believes that this is an activity that will require professional assistance and has developed the concept and justification in the attached proposal. (See below the attached proposal for the Development of a Strategic Communication and Marketing Plan for ESCOP). We also refer ESCOP to the paper by the late David R. McKenzie 'Marketing the SAES: A Background Paper on Marketing Strategies for the State Agricultural Experiment Stations'.

(See http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/escop/committee/SAESMarketing.pdf)

3. The ESCOP Communication and Marketing Committee recommends that ESCOP endorse and support the concept of a Marketing Advisory Board to be established in the CSREES Communications unit, and that it be composed of members from within CSREES, the LGU community and the private sector.

4. The ESCOP Communication and Marketing Committee endorses the concept of holding a Second Partnership Workshop (Baltimore II) within the next 12-15 months and on behalf of Dr. Parks has conveyed this recommendation to the co-chairs of the Partnership Working Group on August 15, 2006. The ESCOP Communication and Marketing Committee has agreed to work with the Partnership Working Group on both the concept and agenda for any future Partnership meeting

5. The ESCOP Communication and Marketing Committee suggests that efforts be made to restructure the way impact statements are collected and distributed. It is time to look seriously at pod-casting, web-streaming and a virtual magazine (Web-zine) for conveying system-wide impacts to reach larger audiences and audiences outside the norm.

6. The ESCOP Communication and Marketing Committee also recommends that ESCOP endorse the concept for the Development of an Experts Lists or an Experts Compendium (see attached White Paper below) and encourage several states to prototype this idea, before expanding this into a national effort.

Proposal for the Development of a Strategic Communication and Marketing Plan for ESCOP
Experts Lists or an Experts Compendium White Paper

Action Requested: The ESCOP Communication and Marketing Committee requests a commitment of $10,000 to begin the exploration of the development of a Strategic Communication and Marketing plan for ESCOP. We propose to enlist the help of private sector communication and marketing professionals to assist in the development of a full plan for your consideration. The requested resources will be used to facilitate travel, meetings, and other costs associated with engaging a marketing firm or professional to develop an outline for a Strategic Communication and Marketing plan along with a full cost estimate.

Action Taken: Approved commitment of $10,000 to begin the exploration of the development of a Strategic Communication and Marketing plan for ESCOP

Presenter: Steve Puppeke

Background Information:

Science Roadmap for Agriculture Update

The Science & Technology Committee has developed a brochure that updates the Science Roadmap for Agriculture based on the survey of priorities that was completed in early 2005. The detailed survey report can be seen at http://www.lgu.umd.edu/ESCOP/workroomattach/22_Roadmap%20Survey%20Report.pdf

The URL for the Science Roadmap for Agriculture Update brochure has been distributed to Administrative Heads and directors of research, extension, academic programs, and international programs so that it can be printed on site to meet future needs. It is also available through a link on the ESCOP Infobook ( http://www.lgu.umd.edu/escop/Infobook.cfm ). A limited number of hardcopies have been given to each research Executive Director for distribution to their region's directors.

Process for Determining ESS Priorities for the NRI

In response to ESCOP's charge, the Science & Technology Committee has developed a process to provide annual (or biannual) input on NRI priorities from the experiment station directors. The process involves two steps, an initial on-line survey available to experiment station, extension, and academic program directors, followed by a session at the fall SAES/ARD Workshop. Also, the S&T committee decided that the updated challenges and objectives of the Science Roadmap for Agriculture should serve as the framework for our recommendations.

Initial input was gained from the on-line survey by asking the following three questions relative to each Roadmap objective.

1. Should this objective be a high priority for NRI support in 2008 funding awards?
2. If NRI supports this objective in 2008, is it very important that proposals to address this objective be integrated as opposed to primarily research?
3. If NRI supports this objective in 2008, what are the most critical knowledge/technology gaps related to addressing this objective?

The breakout groups at the SAES/ARD Workshop will use this input to further refine ESCOP's recommendation to CSREES relative to these three questions. In addition, the breakout groups will be asked to express an opinion on two general questions related to NRI programs.

1. Assuming no additional funding, should the number of NRI programs be decreased, increased, or remain the same?
2. Assuming no additional funding, should the scope of each NRI program be broadened, narrowed, or remain the same?

The S&T committee will compile and summarize the output generated by the Workshop breakout groups and present the draft recommendations to the ESCOP Executive Committee at its meeting during the NASULGC conference in November. After revisions and approval, the final ESCOP recommendations on NRI priorities will be transmitted to CSREES in early January to feed into the NRI's RFA development, which begins in February.

S&T Subcommittees' Reports

The Science & Technology Committee has two long-standing, very active subcommittees, Social Sciences and Pest Management Strategies. In order to increase awareness of the very important activities and functions of these subcommittees, the chairs, Cornelia Flora (SS) and Frank Zolam (PMS), have each provided written reports (see Social Sciences and Pest Management Strategies).

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: Tom Fretz

Background Information:

The outcomes of the task force can be found on at the following urls:

Over the course of the past two years, 5 white papers have been prepared and are posted at the url below: http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/FormulaFundsTaskForce/

Additionally, these papers can be found through a link on the ESCOP website at:
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/escop/committee/subcom00.htm#taskforce

In addition, the ECOP/ESCOP Ad Hoc Task Force with the assistance of the department of Agricultural Communications at Iowa State University prepared an exhibit for the 2006 Agricultural Science on the Hill Exhibit "Funding the Partnership - Fueling our Success"which examined the leverage and value-adding aspects of research and extension activities funded with Federal Formula funds

Actions Requested: The Task Force has completed the work that it was commissioned to do, and we respectively recommend that the Ad Hoc Task Force be disengaged. The Task Force encourages ECOP and ESCOP to submit the Task Force findings to the BAC with a strong statement of support for formula funding. If there are new or continuing needs for discussion regarding the future of formula or base funds as the system looks to CREATE 21 or other models for reorganization, a new ad hoc task force should be established with clear goals, anticipated outcomes and a timeline for completing its work.

Action Taken: Formula Funds Task Force disengaged

Presenter: Ann Marie Thro

Background Information:

Click here for the Specialty Crop Regulatory Initiative PowerPoint Presentation

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: Bruce McPheron

Background Information:

The following is a summary of recommendations and action items from the July 24 Partnership Working Group meeting.

PWG will discuss facilitating an effort to integrate the following national long-range programmatic plans: updated Science Roadmap for Agriculture prepared by ESCOP; an Extension document similar to the Science Roadmap that ECOP is currently planning to initiate; recommendations from the NAS Leadership Summit to Effect Change in Teaching and Learning; and the USDA/CSREES Strategic Plan.

CSREES and university partners continue discussions relative to federal budget priorities, strategies, and other issues important to the system.

Relate state priorities (an extensive and diverse set of activities) to national goals/priorities and communicate the aggregated issues within the system.

CSREES will help assure that NPL State Liaisons are able to articulate the expected long-term outcomes of the State Liaisons Program and will periodically assess Program progress toward these goals.

CSREES will provide feedback on how information (e.g., accomplishments/outcomes) reported to CSREES is effectively used to inform stakeholders.

CSREES will increase awareness of the results of the Customer Service Satisfaction Survey throughout the LGU system.

CSREES will provide a list of National Program Leaders (NPLs) and major roles and responsibilities for use by the LGU system.

A brief update on contributions to the partnership will be given by each sector represented on the PWG (i.e., COPs, AHS and CSREES) during each meeting to increase awareness of national-level activities.

In addition, the PWG discussed the agenda for the December, 2006, New Deans and Directors Orientation.

The next Partnership Working Group meeting will be on November 14 in Houston following the NASULGC Annual Conference.

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: James Wade

Background Information:

Report to the Experiment Station Section
from the
Cooperative Extension Section

September 2006

The Cooperative Extension family was greatly saddened with the loss of Dr. Larry Turner, Director of Extension at the University of Kentucky in the airplane crash on August 27, 2006. Larry was an active member of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) and was designated as its chair beginning in the fall of 2007. Larry's commitment and personal style will be greatly missed by all of his friends in Cooperative Extension.

NASULGC Focus Areas

M. Peter McPherson, President, has identified four focus areas for NASULGC. They are accountability, internationalization, competitiveness and the Farm Bill (CREATE-21) reauthorization. Additional areas include engagement and P-20 (preschool through graduate education). At the June NASULGC Board of Directors meeting, response was positive to this aggressive agenda and for the staff providing support to it.

The following report is organized around the 2006 ECOP Goals.

Goal One: Improved, increased, more effective communications and marketing about CES capacity and impact inclusive of the capabilities of entire national System-1862, 1890, 1994 institutions and the territories.

ECOP will initiate a discussion to identify our core business.

• ECOP will continue and strengthen collaboration in local communities by encouraging and supporting training in building collaboration, process skills, problem solving, and group facilitation for every Extension educator.
• ECOP will provide a platform to develop models for recognition and reward of Extension professionals in Communities of Practice so that the best research and knowledge base information is available to the communities of interest without duplication.
• ECOP will identify barriers, limitations and restrictions to operational flexibility by appointing a task force that may use a consultant. ECOP will support the customization of scientific knowledge to address local and relevant issues.
• ECOP will determine long/short term impacts of Extension programs.
  
• eXtension has moved forward in building out. A "soft" rollout of the initial Community of Practice occurred in early September ( http://extension.org/horses ). Land-grant university faculty members are encouraged to use the site and make suggestions for improvement. Additional updates are on http://about.extension.org/ . All faculty and staff members may register in the eXtension space, login and attend helpful online training sessions. Additional Communities of Practice were announced in early September.
  

Goal Two: Improved funding, enabling legislation and effective advocacy to support the CES program portfolio.

• The FY07 agriculture appropriations bill has been passed by the House of Representatives. The Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee completed action on June 20 with full committee mark up held June 22. Numbers have been sent from Cornerstone. Washington publications have the agricultural appropriations legislation listed as one of the legislative items that will not be completed until after the November midterm elections. Stay tuned.
• Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) funding has been introduced for special funding in the EPA in a process similar to the one done in FY06. However, with considerable objection from EPA the situation is not resolved. USDA has taken considerable interest in the issues of this appropriation and is also working to assist in retaining funding for this highly successful program.
• Energy Extension legislation has been introduced in the House that will provide authorization for $25 million for competitive programs that specifically include Cooperative Extension for seven broad energy related areas. Check out H.R. 5656, Section 13 at http://thomas.loc.gov/ . The bill was passed through committee in July with the Energy Extension section substantially modified in committee. Work will continue to create language favorable to CES as the bill continues in the legislative process.
• Extension representatives on the CREATE-21 process are Chuck Gay, ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee Chair, and Nancy Bull, University of Connecticut. 1890 representatives are L. Washington Lyons, Executive Administrator, AEA, and Noland Williams, Kentucky State University. At their July meeting, ECOP voted unanimously to support CREATE-21 recognizing that change is likely to occur as the proposal is brought into the political process. Voting has been completed on continuing the CREATE-21 process.
• Four ECOP appointed task forces continue to work and coordinate their advocacy efforts with the ECOP Budget and Legislative Committee. The task forces are ECOP/BoHS EFNEP, ECOP/BNR Forestry and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, and eXtension Finance.

Goal Three: Strive to ensure effective program, staff, and faculty development; short and long term performance goal setting; evaluation/feedback systems; and rewards and sanctions are in place to enable continuous improvement, innovation, and demonstrated program impact.

• The Measuring Excellence in Extension task force worked their concepts through both the regional meetings and the National Extension Directors/Administrators (NED/A) meeting in February 2006. Some of the "close to final" products were presented to ECOP at their July meeting. ECOP approved for the project to continue another six months expecting final products to be presented at the February 2007 NED/A meeting. Paul Warner, University of Kentucky, is leading this task force.
• The ECOP Personnel Subcommittee has developed a national awards process that will award five regional awards and one national award during the NASULGC Annual Meeting in November. Recipients will receive both a plaque and a cash award. Nominations have been received at NASULGC with the awards committee meeting in September.

Goal Four: Strengthen, increase, and explore novel new partnerships that further the impact, quality, and resource base for CES and related outreach programs.

• The NASULGC/Department of Energy partnership continues with a three-year extension of the funding agreement with DOE. In 2006, three projects involving Cooperative Extension are well underway; bio-energy with a focus on training of CES professionals in the Pacific Northwest; energy and housing in the humid southern states with distribution of DOE materials and funds to support storm recovery, and 4-H Youth Development educator training to assist in science curricula (focus on heat and heating in 2006). A housing and energy conference is planned for November 30-December 1 in Baton Rouge.
• Discussions continue with DOE and other groups on Cooperative Extension's role in energy education. James Wade has attended several meeting on biofuels and bioproducts in recent months. The understanding is wide spread that CES can and is needed to provide educational programs if the Nation is to meet its biofuels goals as articulated in the President's State of the Union message in February.

Elbert Dickey, James Wade, Linda Kay Benning and Sandra Garner

Cooperative Extension Section

2006 Dates
October 3-5 National Academy of Sciences/NASULGC - Academic Summit, Washington, DC
October 17-18 ECOP, Morgantown, WV
November 12-14 NASULGC Annual Meeting, Houston, TX
December 12-14 New Dean/Director/Administrator/NPL Orientation, Washington, DC

2007 Dates
January 30-February 2 Southern Regional Leadership Workshop (JCEP), Nashville, TN
February 6-8 Western Regional Leadership Workshop (JCEP), Phoenix, AZ
February 6-8 National Extension Directors/Administrators Meeting, College Park, MD
February 8-9 ECOP Meeting, College Park, MD
February 21-23 Northeast Regional Leadership Workshop (JCEP), Valley Forge, PA
February 26-28 CARET, Washington, DC
February 28 Science and Education Exhibit on the Hill, Washington, DC
February 27-March 1 North Central Leadership Workshop (JCEP), St. Louis, MO
April 23-25 PILD, Crystal City Marriott, Arlington, VA
May 6-10 North Central Urban Conference, Kansas City, KC
May 21-23 ECOP Leadership Advisory Council, TBD
July 23-25 Joint COPs, Philadelphia, PA
October 15-17 ECOP Meeting, Jackson Hole, WY
November 11-13 NASULGC Annual Meeting, Hilton of New York, New York, NY

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: Lee Sommers

Background Information:

Sommers reported that the Nominations Committee had not met, but had recommended Pardini as incoming ESCOP Chair and Bruce McPheron as ESCOP Chair-Elect.

Action Requested: Information only.

Action Taken: No action taken

Presenter: Don Snyder

Background Information:

Action Taken: Approved three resolutions

Presenter: Al Parks

Pardini adjourned the meeting.