Iowa Agricultural Extension Association

Meeting Minutes-Scheman Building-Room 230, Ames

October 23, 2008

The fall meeting of the Iowa Agricultural Extension Association of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) was called to order at 7:30 a.m. by President Jerry Chizek. 60 active members were in attendance; including Jack Payne, Vice President for Extension; Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR) Program Assistant Director, Paul Brown; Mary Holz-Clause, Associate Vice President for Extension; Gerald Miller, ANR Program Director; and Wendy Wintersteen, Dean of the College of Agriculture, international visitor from Indonesia hosted by Virgil Schmitt.

Agenda:  Neil Wubben moved to approve the agenda. 2^nd by Gary Hall. Carried.

Minutes: Bud Beedle moved to approve the minutes of the March 31, 2008 meeting held at the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. 2^nd by Glen Easter. Carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Financial report was audited by Kelvin Liebold. John Holmes moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report (Income & Expense sheet) with net income of $1517.37, total expenses of $6682.63, ending balance of $6356.67. 2^nd by Kelvin Liebold.  Carried.

2009 Budget Proposal: Budgeted total expenses of $7950 and total income of $8000 with projected ending balance of $6406.67 for 2009. Rich Wrage moved to approve the budget. 2^nd by Virgil Schmitt. Carried.

Outstanding Young Farmer Award - Steve Johnson reported on Outstanding Young Farmer Award sponsored by Jaycees. IAEA had a nominee sent in by Jerry Chizek.

Area Reports: NW-Al Grigg to retire in 2009; SW-new appointments; NE-new CEED’s Gary Hall, Mike Henderson, vacancy for ag engineering; SE-Iowa Co. new office location, new CEED Deb Collum-Colderwood; C-new agronomist Mark Wuebker, new office locations-Webster, Marshall, Polk Co.; retirement of Deb Van Arkel

Kris Kohl, Don Arendts, Jerry Weiss are remembered in our thoughts as they work through health issues.

Extension Administration

Jack Payne, Vice President for Extension-provided comments on the state of ISU Extension including state & federal funding components (40% of budget is generated by staff). Staff and supporters need to continue to monitor funding legislation to insure the future of Extension. Wendy Wintersteen was commended for her support of Extension staff and budget needs. The financial markets, input costs, credit needs will result in trying times ahead for agriculture. Three initiatives -1) sustainability-examine long terms issues; 2) bio-economy & food, fuel, feed issues-strengthen our role, provide leadership, funding MUST be provided to continue research & support; 3) farm financial planning services will be provided free of charge due to grant from CF Industries.

Extension will continue to assist producers in understanding the cost of production. Extension funding may result in flat funding (state/formula funds) for salaries in 2009 due to the state flood disaster and the financial climate; addressing the inequity between faculty and P&S salary funding may provide support of Extension P&S staff. Extension needs to be competitive in salary support to retain quality staff. International service opportunities are growing; funded by the countries who seek our consultation.

Wendy Wintersteen, Dean of College of Agriculture - the summer of 2008 was a challenge; risk and opportunity are unprecedented in our history. We will continue to address issues together including production practices in the animal industry. The National Pork Producers Association is presenting a new initiative “We Care-ethical principles for pork producer.”

Jerry Miller, ANR Program Director - thanked Jack Payne & Wendy Wintersteen for their support. ANR must prepare a vision for the future. Andy Larson is the new small farmer coordinator. Mark Wuebker is a new central area agronomist. A new Extension beef veterinarian has been hired. Emily Heaton is on campus with a 30% Extension appointment in agronomy. Goal in the upcoming year is to fill the NE ag engineering vacancy. Positions were supported by existing funds.

Goal for women’s programs in agriculture: develop a stronger vision and plan of work; committee has been appointed to provide leadership to the plan development (Linda Fischer, Denise Schwab, Lois Hunt and others). Denise Schwab reported on women’s needs in agriculture for training, education, and programs provided. A new POW number will be added for women’s programs. Paul Brown, Assistant ANR Program Director, shared efforts to update energy/bio-economy information that can be used with clients.

Professional Development - Denise Schwab, Mark Storlie and Dan Burkhart provided a report on ways to develop a professional development fund. The ISU Foundation is a viable option for manage the funds. The NACAA and 4-H Foundation was not able to house the funds. Donations to ANR programs are often initiated by IAEA members; a portion of the donations should go towards IAEA to support professional needs. We may want to deposit these funds locally in the IAEA account to tag those for designated use.

2008 NACAA AM/PIC Pat Derdzinski, David Baker and Jerry Chizek were voting delegates at the NACAA AM/PIC in Greensboro, NC, and provided a report on the conference. Linda Fischer-Communication Award Direct Mail Piece Regional Finalist; Terry Jansen-Communications Video Taped Television Region Finalist; State Winners-Denise Schwab. Jerry Chizek and Gene Mohling; Alan Ladd ($100), Kris Kohl ($100) Jim Jensen ($250), Dan Burkhart ($500) - Donors to the Scholarship Fund.

P&S Report - Virgil Schmitt will be providing more at the ISUCEP update.

Raffle - Greg Brenneman is planning for a raffle at the spring meeting. Please consider providing donations and purchasing tickets.

Life Membership – If there are life memberships that need to funded, please speak with Jerry Chizek/Gene Mohling.

Committee Reports – Committee chair person were filled for 2009-2010.

Bill Arndorfer encouraged members to submit entries for communications early and often. 

Dale Thorson encouraged members to submit award applications for the regional recognition.

Greg Brenneman shared scholarship applications and information.

Paul Kassel-if you have member issues and concerns contact Paul. Paul Kassel and Jerry Chizek volunteer to host a spring social with the spring meeting/professional development day.

Jerry Chizek passed the gavel to new IAEA president Gene Mohling. On behalf of the entire IAEA membership, Gene Mohling thanked Jerry Chizek for this leadership this past year. Bruce Bearinger moved to adjourn. 2^nd by Virgil Schmitt. Carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Gene Mohling, Secretary