The fall meeting of the Iowa section of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by President David Stender. Fifty-two members were present. Also present were Dr. Stan Johnson, Vice Provost of Extension; Paul Brown, Assistant ANR program leader, the following Extension area directors: Don Nitche, Lois Hunt, and Darwin Miller, and Stan Moore, NC Regional Director. 

 

Minutes from the spring meeting were read and approved. Treasurer’s report was given by John Holmes. Opening balance was $1781.65,  total income was $7815, total expenses were $6116.39, and ending balance was $3480.26. 

  

The current balance is $ 9631.65. Neil Wubben moved that the treasurer’s report be approved; motion passed.  

 

The Iowa section currently has 76 members. The NE area reported that Steve Olson and Fred Hall were new members. All other areas reported that they did not have new members. President Stender recommended that a membership chair be designated for each area. 

 

Jerry Chizek, Steve Johnson, and Dave Stender provided a report from the 2005 Annual Meeting/Professional Improvement Conference (AM/PIC), held in Buffalo, New York. All reported that the meetings were interesting and very worthwhile. Dave noted that the New York Farm Bureau was very supportive of the meetings. One major change was that more emphasis was placed on professional development presentations and the number of general sessions was reduced.

 

President Stender went through the proposed 2005-2006 budget for the Iowa section. Dave explained that there was a $900 savings during the past year because not all budgeted funds were used for travel. Dan Burkehart moved we approved the budget, Russ Euken seconded, motion passed.

 

John Holmes represented the IACAA at PILD this past April. He noted that this conference helped him gain an appreciation for national JCEP activities and gave him a better understanding of national legislative policy development. Gene Mohling also attended PILD representing the CEED section. Gene also felt the PILD conference was beneficial. 

 

President Stender noted that he had received notification from the National NACAA Board that NACAA would be conducting a funding appeal to help the victims of Hurricane Katria. Dave has forwarded an email to all Iowa members that explains how they can donate to this fund drive.

 

The P & S Council report was given by Virgil Schmitt. He noted that P & S Council had strongly promoted an increase in staff mileage rates and had welcome the increase that became effective on September 1. P & S Council was very instrumental in getting Rich Wrage, Boone County CEED, appointed to the Vice Provost for Extension search committee. Finally, P & S Council is investigating the establishment of a university ombudsman. 

 

Stan Moore, NC Regional Director, addressed the meeting. He welcomed the opportunity to visit the Iowa Section meeting. He noted that no Iowa members were currently serving as national committee chairs or vice chairs, and encouraged members to consider applying for these positions. The national board is definitely aware that the typical AM/PIC dates often conflict with county fairs in several Midwestern states. The date of the AM/PIC is the decision of the hosting state. He noted that Oregon has bid to host the AM/PIC in September of 2009. Stan noted that more emphasis is being placed on professional development presentations at AM/PICs. “Trade talks” given by commercial business and industry representatives were very popular this year. These presentations bring agents “up to speed” on business and industry developments. In 2005 the communications award applications were submitted electronically. Expect other award applications to shift to electronic application in upcoming years. Stan reported that the NACAA representatives on the 2008 Galaxy Planning Commission are Mayland Peterson and Pat Houge.

 

Reports from Extension Administration: Dr. Stan Johnson told the membership that local ISU Extension offices should consider charging for local programs or, at least, calculate the costs of conducting programs. This helps staff realize the costs of hosting programs. The accounting system is “coming along.” The new system will allow staff to analyze individual programs. Finally, Stan said that it’s been great to work with ISU Extension staff and thanked them for their efforts.

 

Paul Brown, Assistant ANR program director, said that Administration staff are looking at ways to re-structure ag programming as we develop new plans of work (POW). Work teams will be established and POW committees will be discontinued. Base programs will continue but will be more closely tied to the Experiment Station research. Targeted programs will work toward themes that important to Iowans. Goals will be developed and POW’s will be written for targeted programs. Examples include the Corn-Soybean Initiative, the Beef Center, the Pork Center, the Dairy Team, the Farm & Family team, horticulture, and the environment. Work teams will be composed of campus-based staff and field specialists. 

 

President Stender led the discussion of whether the Iowa section of NACAA should develop and submit a bid to host the 2001 AM/PIC. Stan Moore shared several observations. Michigan developed a three pronged approach: (1) large donors were identified and visited, (2) Michigan NACAA members committed to raise funds locally, and (3) Michigan members made individual contributions. Michigan members looked at AM/PIC costs for the five previous meetings and established a fund raising goal of $300,000. Any funds remaining after the AM/PIC will be used for professional development. Stan indicated that the national NACAA Board has hired a consultant to help states develop bids. The Michigan Association currently has all their committees established. Finally Stan explained that time commitment from members is very important. Their members have included their work on the AM/PIC in their plans of work. He noted that members should expect to spend 10-15% of their time working on the meeting during the year prior to the meeting. Dave Stender explained the AM/PIC questionnaire and distributed them. Voting results were: 41 members in favor of submitting a bid, 2 members against, and 2 members requested additional information; therefore, the Iowa section will move ahead toward developing a bid for the 2011 AM/PIC. 

 

The membership discussed hosting a meal at the 2007 AM/PIC in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Joe Sellers moved that Iowa section host a meal, Joel DeJong seconded the motion, motion passed. Dave appointed Linda Fischer as chair of the meal committee with Dan Burkhart providing assistance.  The membership also discussed hosting a break at the 2006 AM/PIC in Cincinnati. $500 has already been budgeted for hosting a break. Jerry Chizek moved that the Iowa section host a break at the 2006 AM/PIC, Bruce Bearinger seconded the motion, motion passed. 

 

Spring raffle will again be conducted to raise funds for the NACAA Scholarship Program. Kapil Arora was appointed to chair the raffle next spring. 

 

Chris Mondak discussed the 2005 summer tour. Approximately twenty members attended the tour on the day after Professional Improvement Day.  The tour participants heard a presentation on biological risk management presented by Dr. Donnelle Bicket-Weddle. Chris said this presentation was excellent and encouraged members to get additional information.  Dave asked if we wanted to have tour next year. Neil Wubben moved that we have a tour focusing on campus-based research, Don Avis seconded, motion passed. Dan Burkhart recommended we have an afternoon or evening activity the day prior to encourage participation. 

 

Committee reports:

Communications – Al Grigg – provided a written report

Extension programs – Chris Nelson – noted that members should refer to the _ edition of the County Agent Magazine for more information. Iowa had two members receive recognition.

Recognition and Awards – Pat Derdzinski – Iowa had no applicants for the DSA or achievement (AA) awards this past year. Participation was encouraged.

Scholarship – Rich Wrage – encouraged participation, noted that the deadline was June 1. Last year four Extension crop specialists received $500 each to travel to Brazil, and Clarke McGrath received $1000 for graduate study. 

PR and Ag Issues – Steve Johnson – noted that the Young Farmer recognition program was again up & running in Iowa.  This year seven applications were received.  The Iowa winner will go on to compete nationally.

Administrative Skills Development – Glen Easter – encouraged participation

Member Issues Committee – Dennis DeWitt – noted that the Extension Administration is very receptive to inputs from this committee.  He urged members to continue to share concerns with him and the committee.

Professional Improvement – Robert Tigner – Professional Improvement Day will be March 28, 2006. 
 

Dave Stender presented John Holmes with the gavel.  John Holmes presented Dave Stender a plaque thanking him for his work the past year as Iowa NACAA Section Chair.

 

Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted by John Holmes, Secretary.