1999 Annual Meeting

October 13 - 14, 1999
Niagara Falls, New York

Board of Directors meeting, October 13, 1999:

The NYSACAA Board meeting convened at 7:05 P.M. by President Keith Severson. Board and officers present were: Paul Westfall, Beth Spaugh, Les Hulcoop, Joan Petzen, Keith Severson, Ken Carnes and Steve Hadcock. Tom Gallagher, NACAA Northeast Vice Director, was present.

The agenda for the annual meeting was discussed.

The budget was reviewed as well. The board recommends the proposed budget with some changes.

General Meeting, October 14, 1999:

The NYSACAA Annual meeting was called to order by President Keith Severson at 1:30 P.M. An attendance list was passed around. Keith stated that everyone should have a copy of the Annual Meeting material.

Keith took a few minutes to talk about the help and support that he received from the board and officers this year. Keith gave a report on the board activities for the year.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as submitted. Motion made by Bruce T. And seconded by Andy Dufresne. Motion passed.

Charlie reviewed the presented treasurers report. Charlie explained some specific parts of the report to the membership. Joan Petzen and seconded by Bruce T. to accept the treasurers report. Motion passed.

The proposed 2000 budget was passed out. Budgeted items for 1999 and proposed budget for 2000 was discussed by Treasurer Mazza. Motion made Paul Westfall by and seconded by Dave Tetor to accept proposed 2000 budget. Motion passed.

Keith presented Charlie a plaque that he received for 5.4% increase in membership. Charlie accepted it on behalf on the total membership.

Committee Reports

• Written reports were presented.
• Committee reports were presented. Dave Tetor discussed the scholarship committee report.

Northeast Director Report:

• Tom Gallagher gave NACAA Northeast Director Larry Myott's report.
• Tom thanked the NYS board for their support of his nomination for Northeast Vice Director.
• Tom gave a brief highlights of this years annual meeting - professional improvement conference(AM/PIC). The Nebraska agents did a great job with this year's AM/PIC. The meetings have changed dramatically within the last five years. One afternoon is devoted to workshops in subject matter areas. Tom mentioned that at the post board meeting, the Search for Excellence program was reinstated. Key things that happened at the Voting Delegate Session were:
  • the voting down participating in the next Galaxy Conference. Bruce T. asked why this motion was defeated. Tom discussed some concerns that some members had with the Galaxy Conference.
  • The administrative assistant position for NACAA was extended for three years.

Old Business

County Agent Magazine: Beth Spaugh talked to Merrill about using his talk as an article for The County Agent Magazine.

Life Members: Clarification was made regarding what is included for Life Member dues. From now on, life members have to pay $10 per year to receive all copies. The AM/PIC copy is sent to you automatically.

Scholarship Committee: Tom reviewed the changes for the scholarship committee.

NACAA Committee Structure: Steve Hadcock gave a presentation on the NACAA committee structure.

National Meeting: Tom Gallagher proposed the idea that NYS host the 2005 NACAA AM/PIC. Keith mentioned that at first, we were resistant. However, when talking with people from neighboring states they will support our efforts. The view has changed and now are more supportive. Keith's concern is how to link with industry for financial support for the AM/PIC. Nate Herendeen stated that there is nothing that builds relationships with coworkers than hosting an AM/PIC. Nate feels that we can raise the meeting. Tom mentioned that the treasurer and chair of the 2005 meeting should come from the host state. Joan has received strong assurance from key people from Pennsylvania that they will support NYS hosting the meeting. Les feels that raising the money regionally will not be as daunting as if we did it by ourselves. Paul Westfall made the motion and Ken Carnes seconded to authorize the board to explore feasibilities of finding a city to host a national meeting in 2005. Motion passed. Judy Wright voted against. Judy Wright suggested that the board consider using a conference planner as soon as possible. Tom Nally asked what Extension Administration support is for hosting a meeting. Jerry LeClar suggested that the preliminary work be done by the Northeast Officers Workshop to present to the other Northeast states.

ACCEE: Joan Petzen gave a report on ACCEE. A brochure should have been received encouraging affiliate membership to ACCEE. A policy is finally starting to emerge regarding annual meetings. In the even years, the Director will host a conference. The conference for next year will be June 4-6. In the odd years, the directors conference be held in the fall. Family and consumer sciences may not want to participate, but 4-H and ESP is interested participating in co-locating a conference next fall. Mid October may be the best time for the meeting. ACCEE's fall conference was very successful financially last year. They gave the Ag Agents Association $1500 (plus the $500 seed money). ACCEE has kept some of the money to waive membership dues. The annual meeting will be a teleconference on December 1st. Dean Sprauge made the motion to co-locate with 4-H and ESP next year. Paul Lehman seconded. Beth Spaugh raised the question about rotating our annual meeting between on-campus and off-campus. Motion passed.

New Business:

Small Farms Initiative: Keith reported that Associate Director Dave Smith is interested in working with the agents association regarding small farms. The board met with Dave in August to discuss this. Les reminded that Dave is interested in meeting with districts when possible.

Recognition of outgoing Board members: Keith recognized Paul Westfall, John Thurgood, Joan Petzen for their dedication to the association in leadership positions. Past President Joan Petzen thanked Keith for his work and dedication for the past year.

Election of officers and directors: Joan gave the nominating report. Nominated for secretary is Paul Westfall, nominated for Vice President is Steve Hadcock, nominated for President Monika Roth, nominated for Past President Keith Severson. Nominated for new terms as directors are: Ken Carnes and Bruce Tillapaugh. The Southern Tier has to still come up with a director nominee. The following officers and directors were reconfirmed: Charlie Mazza, Les Hulcoop and Beth Spaugh. Jerry LeClar made a motion to cast one ballot and was seconded by Joel Allen.

Joan mentioned Incoming President Monika Roth's report and her goals for the coming year. Joan performed the induction ceremony of new officers and directors.

Motion to adjourn made by Nate Herenndeen and seconded by Bruce Tillapaugh. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 P.M..

Ag Systems Initiative

Following the Annual Meeting, Tom Nally and Paul Westfall lead a discussion about the Agricultural Systems Initiative (ASI). Paul gave a brief history of ASI development. Paul posed three questions to the group that the Delphi group had been asked at their meeting. Tom Nally then gave his impression of ASI as well. Tom then asked for input from members present regarding ASI. Several members had comments to state.

Jerry LeClar - asked if this is a Cooperative Extension initiative and are asking agribusiness to promote it. Paul stated that agricultural industry has come to the Dean and asked for more input. Who's initiative is it? Staff needs to know what parameters are to discuss ASI. with local people.

Fred Fladd - is concerned that industry leaders are not communicating to the "grassroots" level about ASI. Is ASI being discussed at Farm Bureau annual meetings? Extension Educators are not to be initiating discussion at the local level. Barry Shaffer mentioned that support for ASI is fairly narrow. Joan Petzen is concerned about who are the local agribusiness contacts at the county level who are knowledgeable about ASI. Joan gave the example of her local assemblywoman. Dean Sprauge mentioned that the ASI documentation is on the Cornell web site.

Ken Carnes mentioned that nursery and landscape groups now have questions regarding this initiative. The industry is not prepared to put in any money into ASI. If IPM and Pro-Dairy are now part of the line item, is there a risk that these two programs will be lost if ASI is discontinued or scaled back? Jerry LeClar that he learned that there is a plan B.

Joel Allen stated that ASI is a response industry's concerns about Extension Educator turnover. ASI is a consolidation of other special project line items, and is an expansion of the research and extension line item budget in the governors' budget.

Nate stated that the state presidents of different agribusiness groups need to let county people know that they are potential key contacts regarding ASI, and need to get up to speed about it.

Dean Sprauge stated that ASI is a response to industry's challenge. Tom stated that we can talk about ASI, but we cannot lobby for it. However, it is a fine line. Need clarification on what we can say or talk about.

Tom wanted to know what is happening on Statewide Program Committees regarding ASI. Tom wanted to hear what is being said at the committee meetings. Nate mentioned that the field crops SPC is supportive of ASI. Tom was wondering what faculty know/feel about ASI. Fred Fladd mentioned that similar meetings to the ones just held for field staff will be held for faculty. Fred feels that many may not know as much as field staff.

Joan Petzen - since the ASI document is now public are we supposed to share it with program committees and start discussing plans? Consensus was yes. Fred stated that ASI staff are not going to do the same things that local county staff do.

Joel Allen - The driving force for this is that faculty is tired of working with new inexperienced staff. ASI will allow the college to hire staff that are well trained, stable and research oriented. Will ASI will be a "brain drain" on local associations? Keith stated that if we are to continue under a gag order, that is bad.

Joan was wondering if NYSACAA should have a policy statement regarding ASI.

Fred told Ed Harwood that there should be an ag agent representative on the ASI Executive Committee. He went further to state that the representative should be the President of NYSACAA.

Ken shared with Merrill that ASI is patterned after Michigan's program that took five years to start. In Michigan, there is no county based ag agent. They are all regional. Therefore, have lost timeliness on helping local people with problems.

Dave Tetor had a conversation with Dean Lund. He wants ASI to be his legacy. The Ag Agents have to get on with it and not be negative about it. Dave stated that we did not know much early on, and therefore hard to say much about it. Dave said he talked some more with Dean Lund about his ideas. Bruce Tillapuagh's observation is that it is not negativism, but lack of information. Dean Sprauge feels that it is a mixed message.

Keith stated that we need to speak positive about Merrill's speech and have an opportunity to work with him on ASI. Keith feels that Merrill recognizes the network that NYSACAA has.

Consensus was that Keith develop a position paper and meet with Merrill and. Keith asked for volunteers to work with him on this. Those who volunteered were: Tom Nally, Monika Roth, Steve Hadcock, and Joan Petzen.

Joel stated concern that if county dollars are freed up due to people going to ASI positions, will the association continue to get county dollars? Paul summarized the discussion for the afternoon about ASI.