Iowa Section of NACAA

Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Headquarters Board Room

March 14, 2007

The spring meeting of the Iowa Section of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by President Perry (Bud) Beedle.  Twenty-four active members were in attendance; including College of Agriculture Dean Wendy Wintersteen and Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Assistant Director, Paul Brown.  Also present was guest, John Otte from Wallaces Farmer Magazine.

Moved by Jerry Weiss, seconded by David Andrews, to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

Minutes of the September 11, 2006 Iowa Section of NACAA meeting were reviewed.  Moved by Bill Drey, seconded by Rich Wrage, to approve the minutes.  Motion carried.

President Beedle shared the Treasurer’s Report provided by ISUCEP Treasurer Jeannie Tibbits.

Membership reports were given; there were no new members introduced from the five Extension areas.

Matt Bormann, Iowa Jaycees representative, and Steve Johnson shared information on the Outstanding Young Farmer Award that is due by August 1st.

ISU College of Agriculture Dean, Wendy Wintersteen, who is in her second year in this position, shared the following comments with the group:   

  • her excitement with the prospect of the bioeconomy. 
  • that on April 5th, a Livestock and Poultry Task Force will convene to discuss the livestock industry.
  • she is focusing on the ag research budget and looking for a $10 million increase for the next five years for a total of $50 million.  The focal points would be fuel (bioeconomy), livestock, and environmental quality. 
  • she reminded the group that 45 positions have been lost in the College of Agriculture. 
  • that the renaming of the College of Agriculture to the “College of Agriculture and Life Sciences” is moving along.

Paul Brown, Natural Resources Program Assistant Director, shared the following:

  • the $80 million Department of Energy grant announced for the Broin plant in Emmetsburg..  Broin is looking at a two-year timeframe to get up to speed in 2009.  They are interested in corncobs; burning 10-20% and using the rest in ethanol production.  Then progressing to stover.  He hopes ISU Extension will be contracting with Broin for education needs.  ISU Extension needs to be a leader in this change; lots to address over the next 12-24 months.
  • ANR In-service is March 27-28 and about 90 people are signed up for training.  All staff members with an agricultural emphasis are invited to attend.
  • the idea of the “rolling plan of work”; balancing base programming with new programming opportunities.
  • working to backfill Mike White’s crop specialist position.
  • staff holes to fill – NE Iowa Livestock, Commercial Horticulture, SW Iowa Livestock, and NE Iowa Engineering.
  • trying to integrate all on-campus centers; Leopold Center, Value-added Center, Beginning Farmer Center, etc.

John Holmes led the discussion of the proposed name change for our organization.  Two suggested names were shared; Iowa State University Association of Agricultural Extension Professionals, and the Iowa Association of Extension Agricultural Professionals.  An e-mail of the proposed choices will be sent to the membership for review and a vote on this issue will be taken at the fall meeting.

President Beedle discussed the NACAA Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan in July.  Those planning to attend include: Alan Ladd, Steve Johnson, Chris Mondak, John Holmes, Virgil Schmitt, and Jerry Chizek.  During discussion on how to pay for our dinner commitment, College of Agriculture Dean Wintersteen and ANR Assistant Director Brown, pledged $4000 to be used for the meal.  The Illinois Extension Agricultural Association also pledged $3,500 to be used for the meal.  Moved by Steve Johnson, seconded by Dale Thoreson, to partner with Illinois in offering “A Taste of the Heartland” meal.  Motion carried.  Approximately 20-30 people/state will be needed to serve the meal.

A committee of Jerry Chizek, Matt Deppe, Bill Drey, and Joe Sellers will investigate the possibility of a summer professional development tour.

John Holmes presented the nominating committee report:

President:  Jerry Chizek
President-Elect/Secretary: Gene Mohling
Secretary-Elect: Denise Schwab

Moved by John Holmes, seconded by Mark Storlie, to approve the slate of officers to serve for 2007-2008.  Motion carried.

Moved by Rich Wrage, seconded by Dennis Dewitt to have the following three members serve as the voting delegates at the NACAA AM/PIC in Grand Rapids, MI:  Jerry Chizek, Steve Johnson, and Alan Ladd.

Jerry Chizek shared a report on his attendance at the Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) meeting held in St. Louis, Missouri on February 27th, 28th, and March 1st.

Virgil Schmitt and Dale Miller shared a report from the Professional and Scientific (P&S) Council.  Topics included 2007 elections, salary increases, and flexible pay.

David Andrews, Communications Chair reported that there were 12 applications in this year’s competition.  John Otte from Wallaces Farmers, the Iowa sponsor of the program helped present the awards.  Four members were honored for their participation; Alan Keninger, Dennis Dewitt, Rich Wrage, and Jerry Chizek.

Dale Thoreson reported we would have no one receiving an Achievement Award or Distinguished Service Award this year at the NACAA AM/PIC.

Rich Wrage gave a short presentation the scholarship program.  Applications are due June 1st.

Pat Derdzinski reported on the Members Issues and Concerns Committee.  Our organization needs to identify a Members Issues and Concerns Committee Chair; Paul Kassel volunteered to serve in this capacity.  His name will be forwarded to ISUCEP Chair Sandy Scholl.

John Holmes conducted the annual raffle.  A total of $530 was raised; $280 for the meal in Grand Rapids and $250 for the scholarship fund.

Mark Storlie moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Virgil Schmitt.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Jerry Chizek
Iowa Section of NACAA Secretary