Approved Minutes of the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education
State Board of Agricultural
Research and Education
Minutes January 14, 2007
Kelly Inn Bismarck, ND
The State Board of Agricultural
Research and Education met at the Kelly Inn in Bismarck, North Dakota, on
January 14 beginning at 4 p.m. Members present were Bob Bahm, John Bollingberg,
Tom Borgen, Randy Christmann, D.C. Coston, Jerry Effertz, Carol Goodman, Ken
Grafton, Duane Hauck, Doyle Johannes, Paul Langseth, and Larry Lee.
Chairman Effertz called the meeting order and asked board members to share
information regarding their attendance and participation at recent
grower/commodity meetings, workshops, and legislative-related sessions.
Duane Hauck noted that he has been involved in the establishment of a bioeconomy
consortium of north central states. The goal is to work with agencies to move
forward while working with economic, social and environmental issues.
Jerry Effertz told board members that the Governor’s proposed budget has been
well received and it is apparent that SBARE’s efforts are appreciated. He noted
that there appears to be interest in additional items from the SBARE priority
list and said he anticipates legislative consideration of some items. Effertz
indicated that he had visited with President Chapman about the budget and that
he, too, was very supportive. Effertz added that the Ag Coalition unanimously
endorsed SBARE’s budget request.
Tom Borgen made a motion to approve the minutes of the November meeting as
distributed. Larry Lee seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
D.C. Coston stated the following:
1. NDSU’s higher education hearing was held last week
and was very positive.
2. Coston publicly thanked Ken Grafton and Tim Faller
for creating “Livestock Use Plan,” a protocol for livestock research done at the
research Extension centers and at the main station.
3. A publication has been created by NDSU faculty and is
available to assist individuals interested in setting up a value-added
enterprise. It is hoped that the publication will help to identify common
factors in successful and less successful ventures.
4. Some NDSU faculty and staff members are involved in a
new project with Great River Energy, helping to establish feedlot opportunities
with Blue Flint Coal Creek.
5. A bill is being drafted to look at incentives and
creation of a renewable energy center in the state – it could increase the
visibility of NDSU research and Extension work in the state.
6. The joint Senate/House Committee meeting on January
11 provided the opportunity to talk about what NDSU Ag is seeing, how it has
responded, and future opportunities.
7. President Chapman and some members of the President’s
Council will be attending field days and events planned around the field days
this summer.
Ken Grafton informed SBARE:
1. The search committee for the head of the animal
science department is finishing their work and has indicated two of the three
candidates are very good and one would be unacceptable.
2. The search for a new chair in the Department of
Agribusiness and Applied Economics has begun.
3. There have been some discussions regarding
reorganization of some departments in the College of Agriculture, Food Systems,
and Natural Resources - including soil science, range science, natural resources
management, plant pathology and entomology.
Duane Hauck reported:
1. Several searches are in progress: 1) two candidates
coming to campus in January to interview for Extension plant pathologist; 2)
fourteen applications have been received to fill the Extension plant scientist
position vacated by Duane Berglund; 3) thirteen applications have been received
for the Extension plant science position that will be vacant upon Alan Dexter’s
retirement at the end of March; 4) Duane Preston, area potato agent, has
announced his retirement; 5) several county agent vacancies and a couple
openings in the nutrition area.
2. This is the meeting season for Extension and a
typical year includes: 1) Best of the Best Wheat Schools; 2) Best of the Best
Corn Schools; 3) “dairy cow colleges”; 4) environmental management school; and
5) risk management workshops.
Ken Grafton reported to SBARE that there is a legislatively led bill related to
industrial hemp that has been discussed.
Duane Hauck reported that there is also a bill being introduced that would
direct 30% of the wholesale tax on wine to related research.
Coston reported that North Dakota Natural Beef LLC has purchased an additional
building for work with the Beef Systems Center of Excellence. Coston added that
SBARE’s role with the Center, as mandated by the Legislature, is accomplished.
Pat Berglund mentioned to SBARE that although the Northern Crops Institute does
not fall under SBARE’s purview, they are part of NDSU and she said that she
appreciates the support of their work and budget.
Bob Bahm asked about a bill to take back check-off dollars for potato industry
due to low budgets and was told producers will be voting on the issue.
Duane Hauck, Ken Grafton and Pat Berglund distributed copies of the budget books
they will be using for the legislative hearing on January 15 and discussed plans
for the hearing.
D.C. Coston reviewed the follow-up from the SBARE retreat that was held in
November at the Alumni Center in Fargo. He indicated that SBARE’s current
standing is strong and the executive budget provides affirmation. He added that
the people in North Dakota feel that SBARE is moving forward with its role.
Coston indicated it will be important to continue discussions and build on
SBARE’s already solid position.
In response to Jerry Effertz’s question about the next step, Coston suggested
another “retreat-type” meeting to talk more about a longer range view of who and
what SBARE is. He suggested it is also important to make the whole SBARE process
even better.
Effertz asked if it would be possible to resolve the issue of how “Extension”
fits in the SBARE process by working through these retreat-type meetings.
The session adjourned at 8 p.m.
Recorded by Margaret Olson
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