Board of Directors
March 31, 2000
Adam's Mark, Buffalo
Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 10:05 am.

Present were Les Hulcoop, Steve Hadcock, Ken Carnes, Beth Spaugh, Ed Stahr, Keith Severson, Paul Westfall, and Monika Roth. Guests were Larry Myott, Duane Stevenson, Glenn Rogers, and Tom Gallagher

Minutes: Beth Spaugh moved to accept the minutes; Ken Carnes seconded. Motion passed.

Treasurer's Report: See attached letter and reports from Charlie Mazza. Keith Severson moved to accept the treasurer's report. Les Hulcoop seconded. Motion passed.

Membership Report: See attached list of 83 members and 4 affiliates.

Meeting with Dean & Director: is set for June 21 from 10 - 2. Board members are encouraged to attend. Plan to meet June 20 at dinner at 6 pm at the Tompkins County office. We will meet on the morning of the 21st if needed in the Dean's Conference room. Monika Roth will contact Dave Revelle to get a NYSACAA mug. Members are asked to bring a product from their respective counties. Topics for this meeting include: Agricultural Initiative, Engaged University, 2005 Conference, User Fees, Marketing, the Food & Agriculture Leadership Institute, CAFO, Pesticide Applicator Training Issues, Connect/Disconnect, Small Farms Initiative, Mentoring Program, and Agriculture & Food Systems Economic Vitality.

Awards: Report from Steve Hadcock: See attached.

2005 Discussions: A presentation and tour was presented by the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce and the Convention & Visitor's Bureau. Representatives were Peggy Moncada and Tracy Kegehein. See attached materials. Larry Myott reviewed the Annual Meeting Handbook from NACAA. It is available on floppy disk. Ken Carnes reported that Albany was not a good site, as the chamber had not responded. Tom Nally reported that Rochester had not shown an interest. Paul Westfall reported that Buffalo was interested & that they would like to do a presentation. Keith Severson moved to cancel the September 11-15, 2005 dates. Les Hulcoop seconded. Motion passed. The Board will meet with the Buffalo Convention and Visitors Bureau on Friday, May 12, 2000.

501(c)3 Status: NYSACAA needs to complete an application for 501(c)3 status as soon as possible. Charlie Mazza has been looking into this on behalf of the Board. When this is completed, the New Jersey agents will transfer funds designated for a National meeting. Paul Westfall moved to establish NYSACAA as a 501(c)3 organization and have Steve Hadcock handle the application on behalf of the Board. Keith Severson seconded. Motion passed.

Northeast Director's Report: Larry Myott reported that NACAA will be investing funds more aggressively in order to increase returns on investment. The year has been fairly quiet on the national level. No controversies have surfaced. Most of the time was spent on committee appointments. Paul Lehman has been appointed Vice-Chair of the Professional Development Committee. Tom Gallagher is on the Professional Improvement Committee. The Executive Assistant will work with the AM/PIC meetings, set agendas, and otherwise assist with planning. Larry discussed the Mississippi meeting. The location lacks infrastructure such as restaurants, etc. In the future, the Board will likely send a representative to check facilities prior to bids being made. Larry encouraged members to apply for the Purcell Pinnacle Award.

Leadership Meeting: Steve Hadcock reported that complimentary issues of The County Agent will be given the Dean Lund and Director Ewert. There is a trend developing in that the AM/PIC is attracting more life members and fewer active members. Steve discussed national committee vacancies, and positions to be elected in Jackson, including President-Elect and Vice-President. Mike Baker is an alternate to the nominations committee. He can also be reappointed as animal Science Committee Representative. He also reviewed the Futuring Committee Report.

Regional Vice-Director's Report: Tom Gallagher reported that the Call-Before-You-Dig Program contributes over $230,000 to NACAA. They would appreciate any publicity we can give them, including advertising, mention in articles, etc. Send any copies to AT&T. The 2004 meeting bid will be coming from Florida. The regional membership totals are: Maryland - 45, West Virginia - 40, Pennsylvania - 115, New Jersey - 42, Vermont - 16, and New York - 83. Massachusetts is looking to re-join NACAA. In 1999, 1300 people attended the AM/PIC. 700 of those were active members.

2000 AM/PIC meeting attendance: Joan Petzen, Tom Gallagher, Steve Hadcock, Beth Spaugh, Andy Dufresne, and Ed Stahr. We need 3 delegates plus alternates. Steve Hadcock and Tom Gallagher volunteered to be alternates.

June Systems Conference: Ed Harwood is supportive of NYSACAA in his new role. He asked how we can communicate about policy issues such as GMO's. How can we improve communications among Ag Agents? Ed suggested hosting a discussion group of agricultural agents at the upcoming June Systems 2000 conference to improve "engagement". A question or topic could be "How do we renew our commitment to New York Agriculture?" Another idea is to invite Anne-Marie Adams to facilitate a discussion on public relations, marketing, or image building. Other ideas were to go further into the mentoring proposal, or on in-service needs. We need to have something "hands-on", not just process. Another idea was to start the fun night activity earlier. Steve Hadcock volunteered to contact a CAO representative, and Tom Nally will contact Nathan Rudgers, with Kim Blot as a back-up for the discussion opportunity.

Fall Conference: The NYSACAA meeting will be held in conjunction with ACCEE and the Epsilon Sigma Phi, and the 4-H Agents at the Hotel Syracuse. Registration will cost $180, and the dates are October 25-27. Topics for workshops a the fall meeting include: Agricultural Workforce Training Opportunities, Use of Quickbooks/Quicken software, General Technology Training, Mentoring, How to go "Lobbying", the New York State Political Process (Becoming Politically Astute), Working with the Media, Connecting with Agricultural Tourism, Public Policy education on GMO's (or other topics), and Food Systems Connections.

Fall Agriculture Training: Dates for the fall agricultural in-services are November 28 - December 1, 2000. The spaghetti dinner is set for November 28th.

August Meeting Date: The August meeting will be held on August 25 in Syracuse.

Respectfully submitted,
Paul Westfall, Secretary